bankrupt without love

newborn valentines photo

If mothers speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, we’re nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate… if mothers have faith that says to a mountain, “jump,” and it jumps, but we don’t love, we’re nothing… If mothers give everything we own to the poor… but we don’t love, we’ve gotten nowhere.

So, no matter what mothers say, what mothers believe, and what mothers do, we’re bankrupt without love.

A mother’s love never gives up.
A mother’s love cares more for others than for herself.
A mother’s love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
A mother’s love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
And isn’t always “me first.”
A mother’s love doesn’t fly off the handle,
And it doesn’t keep score of the sins of others.
A mother’s love doesn’t revel when others grovel;
It takes pleasure in the flowering of truth.
A mother’s love puts up with anything,
And trusts God always.
A mother’s love always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

A mother’s love never dies.

-Paul to the people of Corinth as recorded in The Message (with lots of liberty taken)

Dear friends, Happy Valentines Day to you and yours! I hope you are so aware of love today – the love of others toward you, and the amazing love that you give every single day.


About Author

Adriel Booker is an author, speaker, and advocate based in Sydney, Australia who believes storytelling, beauty, and the grace of God will change the world. Adriel has become a trusted voice in areas of motherhood and parenting, Christian spirituality, and global women's issues. She's also known for her work with the Love A Mama Collective—serving under-resourced women in developing nations through safe birth initiatives—as well as her years spent as a Bible teacher and leadership coach. Her latest book is Grace Like Scarlett: Grieving with Hope after Miscarriage and Loss and she's made the companion grief journal available for free. Find Adriel across all social media platforms at @adrielbooker or sign up for LoveNotes, Adriel's 'secret posts' that aren't published anywhere else online. ✌️

3 Comments

  • julie
    15 February 2012 at 9:55 am

    Beautiful post!

    Have you ever heard of Peter Jon Gillquist? Actually, he’s Father Peter Jon Gillquist now, but he wasn’t yet ordained when he recorded “Love Never Fails”. I think you might like it. Simple tune and St. Paul’s words.

    Reply
  • Branson
    17 February 2012 at 9:58 am

    I loooove this Adriel 🙂
    Branson recently posted..Toddler Activity: Unpacking the Letter TubMy Profile

    Reply

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