I was recently having dinner with some of my closest peeps. Over the course of our discussion, we started to talk badly about some people that we know. Not people we would have chosen to come into our lives, necessarily, but who are part of our stories nevertheless. After a few minutes, I suggested that we change the subject to something else, and we moved right along.
On my drive home, it really began to bother me. If I am truly going to live a life of love, that means extending grace and mercy in unlimited quantities, especially to those that I might think deserve it “least”. And let’s be honest, these people are no more flawed than me, but perhaps their flaws are just more obvious. It’s far too easy to pick apart someone who very clearly doesn’t have it all together. Our thoughts, our words, our beliefs…we send these out into the world, and they are woven in with your thoughts, words and beliefs, as well as everyone else’s thoughts, words and beliefs, to collectively create the fabric of our world. Do I really want to add more nastiness, negativity or hate? Do I want to diminish love, or do I want to increase it?? Of course, I want to do the latter. But it’s not enough to say I want to do it; I must live it. So I must consciously watch my words, control my thoughts, and ultimately, guard my heart, because my words are a reflection of my heart.
What’s your heart condition? Are you building others up or tearing them down? Are you making the world a brighter, more loving place, or are you contributing to the darkness?
Lord, let me be a beacon of love in this sometimes cold, cruel world. Let me speak words of encouragement rather than judgment. Let me spend less time talking about living a life of love, and more time showing love through my actions.
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