"It does not boast, it is not proud." #loveproject365

8/365 #loveproject365

In most cases, I am pretty content with where I am and what I have. God has been given more opportunities in life than most and has truly blessed me with a loving church, a loving family, a great job and a good home. And as much as I know God has had a part in all of it, I have had to work hard a long the way. The hardest part of this verse for me is in loving others who haven't done the same to pave their way. Loving those who complain or make excuses is hard for me, but today I realize that it is not what others do that matters as much as what I do. 

Let's take a look at the homeless guy on the corner. 

I think it is pretty safe to say that we all see one or two with a cardboard sign sitting at the freeway exit, and most of the time we don't even look their way.  And that may be ok for you. But for those who won't give to the homeless because we have made the assumption that they will buy beer or drugs may be missing the point of loving others. Of course, we have to be conscientious of our time and money, but every man and woman on the corner has a story to tell. I don't know all the stories, but I do know God's story and he has created each of us to know Him and to live in harmony with one another.

A few months ago, I decided that what I do is not dependent on what others do. If I love unconditionally, I may just share Jesus in a way someone has missed. If I worry less about how someone will respond, I will love more freely and God will be made known. Of course, the homeless guy or girl may buy beer or drugs, but it is not up to me to make that judgment. If we love unconditionally, we will give freely and if we believe God is good, we will be blessed, regardless of how someone else responds. 

There's a man who sits outside our 7-11 in the evening when we make our coffee run. He is usually half asleep, or slumped over sadly as we walk in. He never asks for anything, but occasionally, we bring him in to get a cup of coffee for himself. This small act of faith isn't changing his life dramatically, but in those moments, he is warm and cared for. On a cold night, this may be all he needs to get through. We all have a desire to be cared for, no matter what our circumstances. 

It may not be a homeless guy in your life, but maybe a family member or friend who needs some unconditional love today. Loving others sometimes requires us to look past ourselves and focus on others, regardless of their story. 

"Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."

1 Corinthians 13:4

Don't get in my Way #loveproject365

"Love is patient, love is kind." 1 Corinthians 13:4

Some people are so good at being patient. Waiting in line, they spark up a conversation. When they are stuck in traffic, they turn up the radio and sing along. When they kids are taking too long to get ready, they embrace the time they have with them that morning. In every situation, they focus on others. For me, I am not very good at being patient and often am quite selfish. Like most of us, I want things now and want everything done yesterday. I have a schedule to keep and appointments to get to, but the funny thing is, even if I had all the time in the world, I would still rush people. 

But love is patient, love is kind. It puts others first and us second. It requires us to endure relationships and situations with patience. Sometimes relationships are hard and loving those who offend us or hurt us is even harder. For me, I just quit. Not because I don't like conflict but because I am afraid. During our times of hardship, love does not give up, but instead endures through patience and kindness. It allows the struggle and produces a deeper love. Like patience, kindness is sensitive to others in all situations. When I think about the times I quit because someone hurt me, I realize I made the situation about me. Loving others requires us to focus on others in a way that is forgiving and kind.