Living in Wonder: Called to Love

It is only Tuesday, but this has already been an extremely long week for me. I have just been inundated with hateful comments from a situation at work, to watching television shows, to watching the news. I just cannot seem to escape from it, but it is reminding me how vital that love is to the world and it is our responsibility as citizens of the world, and especially as Christians, to fill it with as much love as possible! I just cannot honestly understand why there is so much hate in the world. I had a couple days of just feeling like I was being buried by it and it had an awful effect on my mood and attitude about everything.

I had to do an attitude check on myself and decide that I am not going to focus on the hateful things going on, but will focus on the good and combat the bad with love. I am not going to let all of the negatives in life get me down. I know that there is plenty of bad things that happen in this world, which I will not ignore, but I cannot let it turn into hate and bitterness. Instead I am going to focus on love and peace. I came across this verse today and I thought it fit so well in thinking how we should treat each other:

"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" - Hebrews 12:14

Life really is short, we have a limited time on this earth. What kind of impact do you want to have? Do you want to love with abandon or let all of the negative sides of life control you? I find that love can be the more difficult road, but in the end it is way more enjoyable! I have also had a hard time understanding people that take the hateful road. How do you deal with them? I have tried many ways and you do have to cater it to each situation. Sometimes it is appropriate to approach or confront the person and sometimes it is better to be silent and pray. There will be some people you come across that will be mean and hateful and there will be no changing their mind, so pray for them! If anyone can soften a heart, it is Jesus :) To be honest, I do have a hard time doing this sometimes. I like to put my two cents into a conversation, but I am slowly learning when that is appropriate and when it is better to bite my tongue and just talk to God about it. What is it that you do when confronted with hate?

: How can we show Christ's love everyday?

This year I made several goals for myself. I am now going to add this one: love more. I want to consciously make a decision every single day to love everyone, even those that I don't understand, and show the love of God in everything that I do. It really is vital to remember this:

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." - Matthew 5:43-44

and

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Galatians 5:14

I cannot imagine the impact that this decision will have on my life, and hopefully the lives around me. What kind of impact do you think this could have on the world if everyone loved more? What are some ways that you show love during your day? I often look to my role models who did it so amazingly well. My husband's grandparents were excellent examples of how to love fiercely. Here is a picture of them at the beginning of their journey together: