“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

How many of us have heard this bible scripture at least once in our lives. Many of us actually have used it as one of the scripture readings to be read during our wedding ceremony. What exactly does all of this mean? Love is something which is vulnerable and should be respected and not abused.
How about what this scripture does NOT mean:

Love is patient:
It does not mean your abuser can hover over you, yelling “where is my dinner?”, “why is it taking you so long?”; yet doesn’t give you the space to get things done in a timely fashion.

Love is kind:
It does not mean being called names like, “you’re fat”, “you’re lazy”, you’re worthless”.

It does not envy:
It does not mean you can be kept from making friends or spending time with your family because your abuser doesn’t like you away from him/her or the house?

It does not boast:
It does not mean you are a punching bag to be prowled over. Your abuser does not have the right to state “I can hit you whenever I want, I own you.” Nor does he/she have the right to act on it.

It is not proud:
It does not mean your abuser can brag excessively about how great he is at work, and how everyone loves him there and you just don’t appreciate him?

It is not rude:
It does not give permission to be called all sorts of vulgar and foul words.

It is not self-seeking:
It does not mean being told, “You are worthless with out me”.

It is not easily angered:
It does not give permission to leave black and blue bruises on another person’s body or be fearful for ones life.

It keeps no record of wrongs:
It does not mean your abuser can constantly say to you, “you are such a screw up”.

Love does not delight in evil:
It does not mean your abuser can hit you, then smile at you and say you made them do it.

But rejoices with the truth:
It does not mean you can be lied to with flowers or candy or a gift every time you are beaten, and told this is the last time, “I promise”.

It always protects:
It does not mean you should have to live in fear.

Always trusts:
It does not mean you should have to always be looking behind yourself.

Always hopes:
It does not mean you should live in despair.

Always perseveres:
It does not mean you should tolerate anyone ever hitting you or abusing you: physically, sexually, or psychologically.

Love never fails:
It does not mean allowing abuse to be apart of your life.

Love does not abuse. If you know someone who is being abused, or are someone yourself, help them see what love really IS. And if you know someone who is an abuser, or is one yourself, get help so you can learn how to truly love as it was intended.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13