Today I was reminded of something my mom would ask me whenever I would come home from an outing. She would ask, "Did you love well?" I knew what the question meant. She was asking if I took time out of my fun night to make sure that I was noticing the other people around me. Had I been only focused on myself and how I felt or was I aware of the other people.
Romans 12:9-16 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
We are called to love and serve one another. To take time to look outside our ourselves and care for those around us. When we take the time to notice people we are showing them Gods love. There are not enough people that take the time to notice others. How many of us ask people how they are doing without actually wanting to know. It would be so easy for us to take the extra three minutes to sit and listen to how someone is actually doing. How easy would it be to encourage someone else.
I am challenged everyday with how I can do this in my own life. I struggle to remember that even my facial expressions can make someone feel warm or unwanted. Choosing to smile and make eye contact when talking to people can be a small way to show them you care. Recently I have had some really amazing friends pushing me in this area of my life. Encouraging me to be more talkative when meeting new people or pointing out when I could smile more.
I encourage you to think on how you can love well. Who is someone you can encourage or listen to today?
Romans 12:9-16 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
We are called to love and serve one another. To take time to look outside our ourselves and care for those around us. When we take the time to notice people we are showing them Gods love. There are not enough people that take the time to notice others. How many of us ask people how they are doing without actually wanting to know. It would be so easy for us to take the extra three minutes to sit and listen to how someone is actually doing. How easy would it be to encourage someone else.
I am challenged everyday with how I can do this in my own life. I struggle to remember that even my facial expressions can make someone feel warm or unwanted. Choosing to smile and make eye contact when talking to people can be a small way to show them you care. Recently I have had some really amazing friends pushing me in this area of my life. Encouraging me to be more talkative when meeting new people or pointing out when I could smile more.
I encourage you to think on how you can love well. Who is someone you can encourage or listen to today?