I was with Passion

when I met Love.

the stranger seemed to know me.

I scorned his familiarness.

I turned back to my lover,

exulting, exuberant, free,

to the one who flattered me,

adored what I could do for him.

Love whispered to me, challenging:

"I can give you more," he said,

"stronger, more heady purpose;

fulfillment. I would not ask a pledge."

"I would not try to mold you,

I love you as you are; grow as you will."

I looked at Passion--proud, vainglorious

peacock, he'd lived my life for me.

Sweet, humble Love knew me best,

and underneath His gentle ways,

I found delicious treasure--

Passionate Love, as opposed to love of Passion.

4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 

5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]. -- I Corinthians 13:4-8, AMPC

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.