This post is sponsored by Minted.
I’ve mentioned recently I was reading the book, The Hardest Peace: Expecting Grace in the Midst of Life’s Hard by Kara Tippetts. There are few books I will re read, but this one I will. Her life’s intention of living in kindness, her graceful struggle while battling cancer and her constant desire to shift focus from herself to the overwhelming love of God has provided a steady source of ponderings. Chapter two, “Love is Kind” even providing a motto, a battle cry and a tired whisper that has filled my heart, mind and soul. I love when simple Bible quotes are magnified through the eyes of another. (And doesn’t “Love is Kind” fit in perfectly with our Daily Affirmations?)
Bible Quotes: Love is Kind
Let’s fast forward a second. As part of our “Morning Time” we used to memorize scripture. But then last Fall we were so sick, Chris was traveling…”Morning Time” fell by the wayside as we struggled to play catch up. Well, we area bout as caught up as we will ever be and scripture memorization is just too important to put off any longer, so we’ve gotten back to our lovely morning routine of reading about the saint of the day, some simple instruction about our faith and scripture memorization. Without realizing a connection, the next passage we started memorizing is 1 Corinthians 13:3-8.
–1 Corinthians 13:1-8
Love is kindThree simple words that Kara wrote had such a profound impact on her life. Three simple words that she dedicated an entire chapter of her book to, that have become a recurrent source of meditation for me. Not only do I want to meditate on the meaning of Love is kind, I want to memorize the words–three words should be easy even for ‘ol momma like me. I want to hear the words and see the words…I even talked to Veronica the other day about my desire for a banner to decorate our fireplace mantle that said, love is kind. I want these words of kindness, this lifestyle of kindness, this heart of kindness to adorn our family inside and out. I want friends to see it in our faces, hear it in our words and yes, even see it hanging across our fireplace mantle.
So in my mind’s eye, I see a beautiful banner hanging across our mantle. Our fireplace is in our living room, the room where we gather each night for family prayer…the room I can see from my kitchen as I cook and clean and the room that is the portal to all other rooms in our home.
I’d love your input as I decide on a “Love is Kind” banner from Minted to decorate the focal point of our living room? To be a constant reminder of how we should sincerely choose to decorate our hearts and minds.
Here’s my fireplace mantle
Which banner do you like in the Baby Bunting Collection?
I like the Park Party Collection
The older girls liked the Preppy or the Delight Collection. So which do you think would look great on our fireplace mantle? (Oh, I really liked Wildflowers, but I think it’s too brown on brown.)
Thank you Minted for coming along and inspiring me to create a beautiful banner and sponsoring this post.
Amber @ Beautiful Rubbish says
I agree with Lisha, how “Love is kind” could easily start and finish a book… or a life. I share your hope, that this is something you would leave behind as a legacy. This kind of loving, yes. Let it be written across the pages of our lives. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Small Wonder.
Jenny says
My mother in love was one of the kindest people I ever knew and I was not the only one who thought so. The funeral director at her funeral said he could not remember a funeral in recent times with a longer procession to the cemetery.
Anna Goodwin says
After looking at all of them, I like the preppy. I think the colors would look good with the brown. Cannot wait to see what you choose.
Jenny says
My daughters loved the preppy too. I actually found another one not listed–figures! I will post a picture when I get it in and hang it.
Laura says
I love when simple words can have such a profound impact. Sometimes the flowery, creative language is nice…but often, I want the simple! And I get overwhelmed memorizing scripture, but I can handle this. Please show us a picture of the banner when it’s all done!
Jenny says
I absolutely will. I’m so excited to get it hung!
Brandi @ penguinsinpink.com says
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is one of my favorite verses! I try so hard to live it out. I also can not wait to read Kara Tippets book.
Jenny says
Here soon I will posting a video of my 3yo reciting what we’ve memorized so far. It is the sweetest thing!
Maria Hass says
I am inspired by the testimony Kara Tippets left behind, so I will definitely look into that book! Thank you!
Jenny says
Like I said, the book is one of the best I’ve read in a while. I’m reading her “Big Love” book right now and enjoying it just as much. I hope to leave such a legacy.
Terri says
Believe it or not, I like the “sock monkey”! It will show up on your fireplace–love and kind in red and “in” in brown. Red is the color of love. And the Sacred Heart shed His red blood in the ultimate act of love for us–covers all the bases for me. Go with your heart!
Jenny says
I actually found another option after the post. My daughter Anna and I were playing around and I found another option that I could make all red flags with a floral and yellow accent. I think that will be the one. And yes, I really wanted red for the reasons you mentioned.
Coupon Gal (Andi) says
always striving for the love thing 😀
Jenny says
Always…
Lisha Epperson says
I haven’t ready her book but have definitely been ministered to by Kara’s life. Love is kind could be the beginning and end of an entire book. You’ve inspired me to consider placing little quotes like that around the house. Maybe over the kitchen sink for my teens when they wash dishes. Lol.
I like the wildflowers selection as well. Maybe you can put a beautiful piece of fabric behind it as a back drop or mount it on a painted (or fabric covered) board to highlight it. I use the fabric idea in picture frames too.
Jenny says
Thanks for the great ideas Lisha. I have some stored fabric around. I think it would pair nicely with red or turquoise.
Michelle says
Have you considered crafting your own? You seem pretty inclined to me.
Jenny says
I’m not really a crafty person, thus talking to Veronica about it because she is or at least can. We figured in order to make one ourselves, we need to purchase the background material or paper, cut to size, then the figure out the lettering and how to hang…it just seemed more involved than we were willing to get into right now.