if I have not love….

If only I had considered these things eight weeks ago…..

If I have not love….
If I pick lice eggs out of camper hair for hours but have not love, I am inconvenienced.
If I clean the laundry room week after week but have not love, I am a slave and not a servant.
If I put together cool songs for people to sing on all staff worship nights but have not love, it is just about myself.
If I hook people up with craft supplies during my free time but have not love, I am just a dealer.
If I sit with campers at campfire but have not love, I am just obligated.
If I abide by all of the camp rules but have not love, I am just a brown-noser.
If I listen to campers talk and talk and talk but have not love, I am just a warm body.
If I say I love God but have not love towards his children, I am just a liar.

Love is willing to spend the extra time.
Love is willing to lend a hand.
Love does not expect more than is needed or loudly elevate itself. Its joy does not come from coming out on top of a comparison.
It holds others in high-regard, doesn’t have an attitude of deserved-ness and is long-suffering when wronged. It does not keep score.
Love is not happy when others stumble into sin but sings when brothers are standing firm. It shelters, gives the benefit of the doubt, longs for the best, and endures through hard times and let downs.

The lover may fall short, but love never does.