Listen:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (I Corinthians 13:4 NIV)
Reflect:
When my brother-in-law Nathan fell seriously ill, Laston, a friend of his and a leader (Head Christian) in the local parish of the Church of Uganda where they worshipped, came to be with him. When the illness reached a point where Nathan could no longer do anything for himself and he needed advanced medical care, Laston travelled with him to Kampala, and when the doctors advised that Nathan’s case was a terminal one and that there was nothing further that they could do, Laston travelled back with Nathan to a nearby hospital and continued to take care of him. When Nathan passed away, Laston was in the ward on Nathan’s bedside comforting him. He then arranged for the body to be prepared and organized for it to be repatriated to Nathan’s home for the burial. Laston stayed with the family through the grief until Nathan was laid to rest. His selfless sacrifice to care for Nathan deeply touched our hearts.
Paul says in the above verse:
Love is patient. Laston’s patience was measured in weeks, and they were weeks of a friend getting worse rather than better. When you love someone, you expand your capacity to accept them, the situation is desperate.
Love is kind. When you are kind, you are generous. Laston’s generosity was a basin of water and a clean cloth, brought every day for weeks.
Love is humble. Laston took the lowest work in the room, and he did some of it at night, where nobody could see him and thank him for it.
Prayer of Response:
Father, thank you for the gift of love, which you gave to us first and at great cost. When love asks for my hands, my nights and no credit, give me patience to remain, kindness to serve, and humility to keep serving when nobody is watching. Teach me to love my family, my neighbours and the stranger as you have loved me. Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- After reading this verse, what other forms of God’s love have you seen in your own life?
- Which expression of love stands out most strongly to you: patience, kindness, or humility?
Breath Prayers:
Join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale(Breathe in): Lord show me how
Exhale(Breathe out): to Love patiently
Inhale(Breathe in): Lord show me how
Exhale(Breathe out): to Love kindly
—Submitted by Margaret Okello
Dr. Margaret Okello is a recipient of honorary doctorate of Philosophy in Christian Leadership and Business, at Veridian Christian University, Texas, USA, June 2025. Her career gave her the opportunity to work with people from different parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, United States of America (USA), Australia and Europe. She has worked with Lifesprings International Uganda as Dean of Lifesprings School of Ministry in Uganda, oversees Lifesprings retreats, conferences in Uganda and is a writer for Lifesprings Tuesday devotions. She is a public speaker and a mentor to women, girls and youths and assists in coordinating other NGO International projects in Uganda. Margaret is married and a mother of two biological and one adopted adult children.