I am rejoicing today. My mother had a follow-up appointment with her doctor because some tests had come back raising his concern.
For several days before the second meeting, we were praying like crazy. I called upon my prayer warriors (thank you!) to stand in the gap and hopefully shift some things through prayer.
It was a weekend of waiting.
I had ample time to think about my mom and what life might be like without her. I remembered all the goofy things we’ve done together. All the talks. How we support each other in life. I laughed at how much she can drive me nuts and how much I would miss that.
Today’s news could have drastically changed our path… but it didn’t. Thank you Lord.
But it made me realize how easily we can take each other for granted. We wake up each day assuming everyone is fine and they will be here forever. We don’t give it another thought.
But what if we did? What if…
- we said “I love you” every time we hang up?
- we took time away from our computers and colored Barbie and her friends with our daughters?
- we built Lego droids and battleships with our sons?
- we hugged our husbands when they walked in the door from work?
- we called our out-of-town family often?
- we wrote thank you notes and actually RSVP’ed to events?
- we told our friends how much we loved them regularly?
What if we took every chance we had to show love, speak life and appreciate others? What if we were intentional about caring rather than leaving it to chance? What if we chose to embrace the people God has placed in our lives?
Then we’d be doing exactly what Jesus told us to do in Galatians 5:14: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” And wouldn’t the world be a nicer place if we did?
If we’d be honest, we’d admit that loving ourselves isn’t usually a difficult thing (at least on a basic level).
- We buy clothes to make us feel better.
- We eat to stop those hunger pangs.
- We get pedi’s so our heels don’t rip the carpet. (Eewww)
- We decorate our homes to make us happy.
- We spend time with people who make us feel good.
According to the above scripture, we are to love others just as much. I’m up for the challenge. Are you?
Let’s start it this holiday season. Let’s make sure that those we love know it. Let’s go above the ordinary and show others how important they are to us.
Next time I see my mom, I’m gonna hug her harder than before. I’m going to make sure she knows how loved and important she is to me… and my family.
Friends, love others harder. Resolve to be intentional about it. Not only do we all need it… Jesus commands it.
Let the “love-fest” begin!
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