Love God, Love Others

Why is this? Loving others is my superpower. It comes easy for me, most of the time, and it just feels natural, effortless. But I must admit, there are times that I feel off in a way and I have always wondered why.

I discerned this in adoration and prayed for clarity. I realized during my off times, my willingness to love felt daunting because I didn’t see myself as God saw me. I became more critical, more uncomfortable with who I was because I cared more about what others thought of me than what God knew of me. The interesting part is that I never stopped loving, remember it is my superpower or at least that’s what others always tell me. But is it? Why is it so hard sometimes to just power through. For me, the only way I could embrace it with confidence was to keep loving but also stop and look at my relationship with God. Sometimes easy, most times not. God always took me back to the cross with Him, embracing Him in the raw, the simple, the authentic, so I can see myself in the same way. He loves me. That’s all I needed to know.

Jesus’ two commandments – love God, and love others go hand in hand, and we can all learn to do both so we can live a victorious life that is pleasing to God. Almost sounds too good to be true. God loves us – completely, unconditionally, full of grace and favor. There is no loving BIG greater than this. Isaiah 43:4 says: “For I am the Lord, your God, the one who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.” I sometimes think of this verse when I receive the Eucharist. I look at Him and thank Him for knowing me and still loving me.

When I think of the many blessings I have as a wife, a mom and now a grandmother, it’s surreal. The worthiness of these blessings flows through Him with gratitude. For a long time, I had a hard time accepting compliments until a priest and a dear friend of our family told me, it’s all glory be to God. It belongs to Him so smile and remain grateful. The art of accepting that worth shares its richness with the art of forgiveness. When I forgive myself for the things I have done wrong, I am able to recognize the beauty and goodness in myself as a daughter of Christ and embrace the gifts and talents He has given me. Once again, all glory be to God.

To love BIG is to love always. Praying, meditating, confessing, discerning, all of these strengthen our eyes, hearts, and minds on Him and leads us to be swept away by our love for others. It is simple, it is real, it is effortless, and it captivates my heart to keep loving BIG!

My prayer for you today is that you know the love within you. May you embrace the acceptance of who you are in God’s eyes, not the world's. May you feel that love from others even when they are struggling to love and may you always know, their struggle is not because of you, it is for you. All glory be to God.

Together in prayer. Hand in hand.