"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."- 1 Corinthians 13:13
Happy Valentines Week! If you are like many of us, you too agree that Valentines is one of the most over-rated commercialized holidays. I remember as an elementary school student being so excited to make my Valentines mailbox and then have it filled with the boxed Valentines cards. As a middle schooler, everyone started receiving balloons so my parents and aunt sent balloons to school so I too would fit in. The first dozen red roses from my high school boyfriend made me feel so special. However, at some point after that I decided that I no longer appreciated what Valentines Day stood for. Because for me, loving and caring should be displayed all year, not just on one day.
"Let all that you do be done in love." -1 Corinthians 16:14
Me? I love people. I love animals. I love random moments that fill my life with happiness and laughter. I love KW dinners with groups of college students. I love listening to old people share stories about the good ole days. I love seeing a child's eyes light up when they have completed a task for the first time. I love having all three dogs fall asleep in my bed every night. Yes, I love to love and value people who love to love. AND believe it or not all of the above things happen on days other than Valentines Day.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:34-35
My personal philosophy and mission are strongly focused on kindness, compassion, and the power of forgiveness. While the majority of the time, I am one happy person who loves life I too have been sad, depressed, mad, angry, heartbroken, eat an entire half gallon of ice cream, ugly mascara eyes, and felt every reason to run at some point in my 32 years of life. However, at the end of the day, my soul delights in those characteristics that God so wants His children to possess. Because for each of those sad, depressed, mad, angry, heartbroken, eat an entire half gallon of ice cream, ugly mascara eyes, lace up the running shoes moments, there have been some amazing people there to remind me I am loved and am one of God's children. Are you one of those amazing people that are living a life to remind others that they too are valued and loved? Everyone knows the song of "Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so...." We are called to love one another just as Jesus loves us. He loves us for who we are and who we are destined to become. He loves us for our mistakes and for our remarkable journeys that we are embarking on. We must in turn repay the favor and choose LOVE whenever possible (which is possible in most scenarios).
"Love always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13: =7-8
I hope that throughout the year we choose to show love not just on the commercialized Valentines Day. Whether its a small handwritten thank you, the smile and handshake of a veteran, the high five to a youngster, or holding a friend who has mascara running down her face from tears, choose love and compassion each and every day. After all, we are all called to show grace to one another through our actions.
Happy Every Day Valentines Day to you!
Faith... Patience... Love, Joy
Happy Valentines Week! If you are like many of us, you too agree that Valentines is one of the most over-rated commercialized holidays. I remember as an elementary school student being so excited to make my Valentines mailbox and then have it filled with the boxed Valentines cards. As a middle schooler, everyone started receiving balloons so my parents and aunt sent balloons to school so I too would fit in. The first dozen red roses from my high school boyfriend made me feel so special. However, at some point after that I decided that I no longer appreciated what Valentines Day stood for. Because for me, loving and caring should be displayed all year, not just on one day.
"Let all that you do be done in love." -1 Corinthians 16:14
Me? I love people. I love animals. I love random moments that fill my life with happiness and laughter. I love KW dinners with groups of college students. I love listening to old people share stories about the good ole days. I love seeing a child's eyes light up when they have completed a task for the first time. I love having all three dogs fall asleep in my bed every night. Yes, I love to love and value people who love to love. AND believe it or not all of the above things happen on days other than Valentines Day.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:34-35
My personal philosophy and mission are strongly focused on kindness, compassion, and the power of forgiveness. While the majority of the time, I am one happy person who loves life I too have been sad, depressed, mad, angry, heartbroken, eat an entire half gallon of ice cream, ugly mascara eyes, and felt every reason to run at some point in my 32 years of life. However, at the end of the day, my soul delights in those characteristics that God so wants His children to possess. Because for each of those sad, depressed, mad, angry, heartbroken, eat an entire half gallon of ice cream, ugly mascara eyes, lace up the running shoes moments, there have been some amazing people there to remind me I am loved and am one of God's children. Are you one of those amazing people that are living a life to remind others that they too are valued and loved? Everyone knows the song of "Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so...." We are called to love one another just as Jesus loves us. He loves us for who we are and who we are destined to become. He loves us for our mistakes and for our remarkable journeys that we are embarking on. We must in turn repay the favor and choose LOVE whenever possible (which is possible in most scenarios).
"Love always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13: =7-8
I hope that throughout the year we choose to show love not just on the commercialized Valentines Day. Whether its a small handwritten thank you, the smile and handshake of a veteran, the high five to a youngster, or holding a friend who has mascara running down her face from tears, choose love and compassion each and every day. After all, we are all called to show grace to one another through our actions.
Happy Every Day Valentines Day to you!
Faith... Patience... Love, Joy