I would give the people I love my heart, especially my children. Not because I do not value my life, but I value theirs before my own. Though to die for a stranger, or more than that, someone unkind, that’s a love that I am learning. I think about God how much He loved us, that He sent His Son to die for us. Even as people were cruel to Jesus, He gave up His life, to give us ours. When I love, I am all in, completely. Though loving unkind people, is a whole other depth of love. But if God sent His son to die for us all, then we must all be loved beyond reason. Beyond complete comprehension. Though I have learned that love softens anger. That love reveals vulnerability and shows more than meets the eye. I learned that through love forgiveness can be found. Love can drown out hate. Love God, love people. Many times, in the Bible, scripture talks about the importance of loving one another. Maybe through love, even when it is hard, more people can see God. If more people can see God through the lens of love; than that further makes what Jesus did, that much more worth it. May we learn to offer love, even to those that seem unworthy. For God said we are all worthy of it. If the world were without love, then there would never be a point for anyone to exist. May we offer love, daily, to each other. Just as God offers His love, always, to us.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Matthew 22:36-40 NIV

 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ‘This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ‘All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”