My command is this; Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12

Love is most popular as a noun. Something to be had, to possess, to capture. It looks great in cursive letters on a greeting card and makes for a captivating plot in a romantic comedy. However, love’s greatest power is expressed as a verb. When we show, in action, that we love. It is by serving and caring and nurturing and tending to and forgiving.

Oh, mommas. How many of us are struggling to act out this love to our immediate family right now? Are we buckling under current stress and failing to live out our love? If my own kids were grading me on how I’ve shown love these past two weeks, I’m fairly confident I wouldn’t love the grade.

Beyond our famlies, how are we doing when it comes to neighbors, extended family, strangers or those we encounter on social media? Are our responses an extension of Christ’s love for us? Are we aligning ourselves with Colossians 4:6 and letting our conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone?

This eternal love we’ve been given is not a feeling. It’s an everlasting gift as God continues to provide and fulfill His promises. In turn, we are called to be a vessel for this love and gift it to others. To the pre-teen who is grating on your very last nerve. To the spouse who isn’t following through the way you anticipated. To the grouchy lady in line at the store. We are called to love.

Challenge- Take some time to determine who you have the hardest time showing love. Is it a relative or a relative stranger? How might you change your behavior and act out love to that person in your next interaction?

Lord, help us remember we are all made in your image. You have called us to love. You haven’t asked us to only love those like us or those we like, but all of Your children. Please give us a soft heart and the ability to express love to those it has not been easy to love in the past.