Do everything in love…

Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

In this scripture Paul is telling his followers to do everything with “charity,” according to the Kings James Version. When I think of charity I think of giving away unwanted clothes or money to someone else in need. The dictionary describes it as “the voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need.” Paul says to do everything in charity, or according to the New International Version, “in love.” What does doing everything in love mean to you? What does it look like? For me it means feeling a resistance between being patient and kind, and feeling irritated and moody at the same time. It’s almost a bother to my irritated self, but once I’m able to get past the bother it becomes a balm to my soul. It’s hard to do everything in love, let’s be honest. We get into bad moods, arguments with people we love, we feel defeated over different hardships that ourselves or someone else is facing, but can you imagine what a difference would it make to all of us if we choose to act in love instead of in anger? Or in fear? Or in doubt? Do everything in love. Easy to say, but difficult to do. However, all it really takes it’s just a small focus, moment by moment. We’re not going to get it right all the time, we have to give ourselves that grace, but if we just focus little by little we can influence ourselves to do many things in love. Maybe asking ourselves how we can speak in love? Or think about other people in a loving way? Or do a task that we’re annoyed to do but have to do with the thought of love and charity in the back of our heart and mind? What a difference that would make in our lives. I’m not saying it’s easy, I’m just saying it’s a start. Today being Valentine’s day, let’s focus on that love. No matter where you are in life, let’s allow God to help us to be those loving people to those around us. Let’s do all that we do be done with love… or at least the thought love in the back of minds.. haha. Have a great Valentine’s day. God bless you.