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.

- I Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)

So "2005 is Alive." How’s that work? Step number one… Love. I know it’s cheesy. And the scripture above is quoted so much it’s cliche. But 1 Corinthians 13 was on my reading assignment today. And the first line is gold. "Love is patient."

Patience. That’s my number one prayer request. Patience. I’ve even taught my kids to pray for mommy to have patience. Seems like a major requirement when raising two preschoolers. That and having eyes in the back of my head. [I saw that!]

Besides an act of God, how does one acquire more patience? I’ve always heard that if you pray for a certain characteristic, God will just give you some really trying circumstance that will teach you. Scary. Two year olds must be the answer to some previous prayer for patience.

Actually, I think perspective helps. Step back from a situation and realize that all of life isn’t wrapped up in this little irritating inconvenient moment.

Then again, maybe all of life is wrapped up in a moment. When my little ones are driving me crazy, if I can just take a breath and be patient and really love them… Maybe that moment is when I’m really living.

It’ll definitely make better memories than yelling at the lil’ boogers.