The Greatest Of These Is Love
The Greatest of These is Love: Don't be afraid to spread love.
“Hey, I didn’t leave a random gift for you by your door”
“K.”
-[a COMPLETELY oblivious 30 minutes later after a seemingly-never-ending day at work]-
“What!??! Hahaha awwww thank you!! <3 ”
“Haha, you’re welcome! :) ”
I will never forget that moment that this sweet family member's expected kindness. Despite the highs and lows of that particular day, that moment reminded me that I am loved and I am valued.
As I get older, I take more time to consider my personal values, family values, and how much I value others. But unfortunately, some of us don’t realize how much we have until we hear about someone else’s situation, or worse, until we lose someone close to us. It only becomes real at that point and suddenly our eyes are opened to how blessed we really are.
As I consider this, and as my world starts expanding and changing, I have made a conscious effort to live “carpe diem” daily, where I am making it a practice to tell and show people I love and care about them. It may be unrequited and perhaps bystanders will make assumptions about my intentions. But bystander or not, you never know what unexpected catastrophe is coming your way. It’s okay to tell people you care about them and love them. Really, it is.
Bill Keane says, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.” It is true. Today, the present, is a gift. Value it, seize the day, and, show others that you value them. You never know how much it will impact them or their lives.
As we prepare to close 2017 and begin 2018, remember to love. Biblical passage 1 Corinthians 13 explains it beautifully:
1If I speak in the tonguesa of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,b but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Be encouraged and don’t be afraid to give the gift of love to yourself and others. <3
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to love everyone in the way Corinthians describes: genuinely and honestly. Help me to finish 2017 with a loving heart and to begin 2018 sharing joy. I love you. Amen.