authentic love.

growing up, almost everything i learned about loving other people, i learned from my mother. she taught me what it means to be a person of integrity; to appreciate those who love you and be kind anyways to those who don't. i grew up without really knowing what it meant to be jealous of someone because my mom so emphasized that we always celebrate when good things happen for others...even if we're not necessarily fond of those "others."

i want in all situations to say i can hope the best in and for someone. whether it's a family member, a friend, a stranger, or someone who is....not a friend.

"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that." Matthew 5:44-47

to hope the best in another is to say, no matter our relationship or what you've done, i believe in you. it's saying that if you have hurt me, i choose to believe that it was not out of malicious intent. i choose to believe that your intentions are good and that you've simply slipped up as all people do. i choose to believe that you are created in the image of our Creator.

to hope the best for someone is to elevate someone else above yourself. it's saying that if you receive a position or award that i wanted, i will celebrate. it's saying that no matter what i think you "deserve", i will hope for your victory. it's saying that your success is my success.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." -Philippians 2:3-4


so, i have two choices. i can hope the best in/for those around me, or i can not.

the first brings hope into my own life. it brings peace and a knowledge that i am not in control of all situations, but i am in control of how i respond to them. it brings freedom from the lie that my perspective is better. it brings opportunity to show the love and grace that Jesus has shown me. the latter brings pride, bitterness, anger, jealousy....the list goes on.

praying that i'm able to wake up each morning and give my day to the Lord - asking Him to help me see His people the way He does.

it's hard.

and it's worth it.