Learning to love is the lesson. More specifically to love God first and foremost and then to love our neighbors. The second part of the commandment is more specified. We are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Wow! "What does it mean to love someone else as we love ourselves?" I asked my Sunday school children.
They didn't respond immediately. We allowed some time to pass. Thinking about how we love ourselves. At times we don't. Feeling down and out. But wait...do we ever stop loving ourselves?
Let's take stock of a few daily routines. Waking up we walk to the bathroom, use the loo and wash our hands and face. I donn a tick jacket or gown. Staying warm =self-love. Walking to the kitchen, I wash the coffee machine and make two cups of filter coffee. Why do I wash the coffee machine? Less germ into the body =self-lovee. Pouring a cup of coffee, adding just enough milk to taste the coffee, and add the least amount of necessary sugar. Of course to still taste the coffee. Considering the amount of sugar while enjoying a favorite hot beverage = self-love a page ou of the gospel of John in my home language while drinking the cup of coffee to treasuring heart and sole = self-love. Waking and kissing Erin and Ross, waking them up and now the love is being spread. Hello, my dear husband, Paul with a kiss = love. Taking a shower, getting dressed in my best, putting on deodorant, and brushing my teeth = self-love. Driving as safely as possible to work = self-love. Packing lunch. Eating a healthy lunch and feeding my own body = self-love. Listening to my body, and standing up after sitting for a prolonged time in a meeting = self-love. Exercising = self-love. Taking some time out with feet up after a long day = self-love. Taking to a friend = self-love. Sleeping = self-love.
Now that we know just how much we love ourselves, let's love our neighbors as ourselves. When we succeed, nobody should go to bed hungry, lonely, isolated, or cold.
I feel your love! Thank you for every Birthday wish and support in this difficult period.
With love always,
Monique
Comments