LOVE

1 John 4:20-21
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.  And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

My mom always said, “You don’t have to like everyone, but you have to love them.” 

Personalities clash, opinions clog, ways of doing things frustrate, and expectations fail. All things that make people dislike one another. I could make a longer list of what makes people dislike or even hate another person, but if you’ve lived this life very long, you already know what’s on the list.

As a child, I thought everyone liked me and I liked everyone, then I grew into a middle schooler and learned the reality of relationships. People who had been friends made fun of me for going to church. I said things to others that were unkind. Some say this is typical middle school behavior, but I say why? Can’t we teach our children to be kind to everyone, no matter who we are? Can’t we do better?

Lead by example. Love my neighbor. Love the person who irritates me. Love the person I disagree with. But how? By showing compassion, having patience, giving grace, praying for people, helping, humbling myself, and the list goes on. Even though I'm not perfect, I can strive to do better.

God calls every one of us to love people and to love Him.

February is the month of love. Valentine’s Day celebrates love. So, I may not like everyone I meet, but I can pour God’s love over every person by being kind.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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

Love God and love people.