They’ll be times when love doesn’t make sense.
When your teenage child makes a terrible decision, yet you are there to love him or her through it.
When your spouse has failed or fallen, and it might be easier to turn your back and run, but instead you support him or her through the failure.
When your parent says something that cuts straight to your heart, but you see forgiveness and encouragement are better ways to respond than hurt and resentment.
When your friend doesn’t give you the time of day, yet you continue to reach out anyway.
You can probably add to this list, or come up with your own, can’t you?
There have been times in the past, and there will be times in the future, when loving another doesn’t make any logical sense. But you do it, anyway.
You do it because loving is what you do.
“People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway. If you do good, people may accuse you of selfish motives. Do good anyway. If you are successful, you may win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway. People who really want help may attack you if you help them. Help them anyway. Give the world the best you have and you may get hurt. Give the world your best anyway.” – Mother Teresa
Love them anyway.
(Now, of course, I’m not talking about situations of abuse, violence or personally harmful situations. Those are entirely different circumstances. If you’re facing something like this, please, by all means seek assistance from a pastor or from someone who can give you guidance.)
Love doesn’t always make sense to the rest of the world, and quite often, it doesn’t even make sense to us. But because God calls us to love, and because love is a big part of who we are, that’s what we do.
Continue to love. Love extravagantly. Love liberally. Love bountifully. Love without restraint.
This kind of love changes people. It changes those who receive it, and those who demonstrate it.
May you and I love like this today!
Julie
It’s our final day in our 31 Days Loving God & Loving Others series. My 31 Days wrap up will be coming soon, but for today, let’s finish out this day loving extravagantly… both God and others! It’s been a joy to journey with you this month. What a gift! Thanks for being here! All posts in this series can be found here. (Sharing with Inspire Me Mondays.)
Love this, Julie. A few years ago, I never understood how a parent could withhold love and affection from their teen. I didn’t get it. Today is different. I have a teen who really is a good kid, but makes life very difficult. In addition, although we have “trained her right,” for whatever reason, is choosing to figure some things out on her own. And my efforts to be kind are returned with biting remarks. *sigh* The last thing I want to do is get up and give her a long kiss on her forehead. Actually, what I want to do is grab her and squeeze her so she can’t get away from me! Sometimes it takes a few minutes before I can go over and give her the affection I know she desperately needs–but I do it. And now I understand other moms. Oh, how I want to walk away. But I’m afraid if I do, she will. Trying so hard to ground her in love.
Dianne, I understand exactly where you are coming from! When those times come when I just want to walk away, I have to consciously remind myself of how Jesus has never walked away from me. Even when I give Him every reason to. He keeps loving me and pursuing me. I need to keep showing love to and pursuing my children, just the same. This may be the hardest part of parenting for me. Keep loving, fellow mom. Even through the biting remarks. I am praying for you (and your daughter). Sending hugs your way!
Beautiful. I’d add ‘That whiney student that complains about everything? Love her anyway–extravagantly–find out what makes her tick and find the wound the whines are bleeding from.’ I needed the reminder today, my friend! Thank you!
Yes, Anita! You add another perspective on this. Thank you. I need this reminder every day. Maybe I should write it on my bathroom mirror. 🙂 God bless you, friend, and thank you for hosting Inspire Me Monday(s)! Love your space!
I love this. Love them anyway. I wonder….does that extend to ourselves as well! 🙂
Carol, I’d say it does! Thank you for stopping in and for sharing. It’s a joy to have you here, as always. Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
Loved this Julie! God’s timing is impeccable. I have been living this out the past two weeks. Thank you for the encouragement! And thanks for participating in Inspire Me Monday!
Welcome, Cindy! I’m glad to hear you’ve been “loving them anyway” the past couple of weeks. It’s not always easy, but it is always worth it. I love Inspire Me Monday… looking forward to tomorrow! Have a blessed day.