Love

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

That’s in Matthew.

It’s been 3 months (to the day) since I’ve written last. I knew I wanted to take a little break but at the same time I didn’t realize that many days had racked up. I admit life has been kind of hectic the past year, but I finally feel like I’m settling into a routine.

If you know me well, you know I remember dates. Today, which is May 1st, 2019, marks ten years since Grant’s grandma went to Heaven. Nadine. She was a brown eyed lady who, as Danny, my father in law always says of her, “had a bee-hive hairdo.” 

I met her back in 2006 when Grant and I started courting. (That’s biblical dating.) I don’t think it was a coincidence that less than a year after becoming a Christian I got to know Nadine. Once Grant and I married in 2007, I spent many days with her since we only lived about a mile or two apart, as the crow flies. I would pick her up and she’d come over and watch me clean my house and she’d root me on saying “you’re such a good little house wife.” The more she said stuff like that; the better I cleaned! She would ask me to open the Bible and read to her out of Ephesians or James usually. Once I had our video camera at her house and Grant (as usual) had the itch to do a prank call. So, I started rolling and he got on his cell phone and stood directory behind her recliner she was sitting on and she answered her home phone. He went on and pretended to be this man who’s wife had left him and he couldn’t live without her and needed Nadine to pray for him! After Nadine reassured this poor man on the other end of the line that he most definitely could live without this woman who had run off and left him, she started to pray. Aunt Betty, who is her daughter who lived with her, spoke up and said “MOTHER! That’s Grant!!!” And about that time, Grant came from around the recliner and stayed talking in the disguised voice and Nadine jokingly gave Grant a whippin and we all laughed and laughed.

Another time she was insisting Dolly Parton died and she had her funeral on “VDV” (that’s what she called a dvd) and so after I kindly told her I really didn’t think Dolly was dead or I would have heard that. She insisted that I put that vdv in. So, I did, and across the screen it said “HOME-GOING SERVICE OF DOTTIE RAMBO.” We had a good laugh over that. 

I have a other stories I could tell. Some funny. Some more sentimental. But there are some things I like to keep close to my heart. 

Nadine taught people how to love! That’s all I knew to say at her funeral when Danny told me say a little something when it was his families turn to talk. I told that crowd of people that I know I was so loved and welcomed into such a large family all because Nadine had taught all of them how to love people. 

So, I know I don’t have anything to profound to say today, do I ever though? But, as I think and look back on Nadine’s life and the 3 years she was a part of my life, and she was a part of mine, I am thinking today how I can love more. 

Love people unconditionally. 

Love people willingly.

Love people who just don’t deserve it in the world’s eyes. 

Love people who are different from you.

Love people without the apology.

Love them with no strings attached.

Love them with no expectations of having that same love returned!

I was forgiven of much before I came to Christ. And for the past 13 years of being a Christian, I still have been continually forgiven! So, when I read the Bible it makes it pretty clear, A-B-C, and kindergarten level for us all to understand that to be given God’s forgivenesses- we must forgive others. 

Right here in Matthew, chapter 6.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

So, I know it’s not much, but I wanted to honor a lady who loved me like I was truly her own blood family- as she loved everyone. And pass on what she taught me. And what I strive to do in all my relationships. 

I understand there will be times you’ve done all you can do, and said all that can be said, but when we love like God wants us to love- we won’t focus on the hurt or the pain we felt from past friendships or relationships. Maybe your dad abandoned you and your siblings as a child. Or maybe your spouse left you for another. Maybe your grown child wants nothing to do with you. Maybe a friend decided a few bumps in the road just wasn’t worth working through. Or maybe you feel you constantly are trying to win someone’s love over. Pick your situation or fill in the blank. We’ve all been there to some extent and at some point. But; please know that loving is always the answer. I don’t have some big long description or theological explanation of what it means to love like Christ, but I can tell you we can look at His example and follow His lead. Love your enemies. Bless them. Pray for them! If you see they are hungry or in need- feed them. 

Love is not what it is portrayed in the movies. It’s humbling yourself to others and not expecting anything in return. Let me repeat. Humbling yourself and expecting NOTHING in return. 

That’s all for today. On this pretty May Day. :) Thank you for reading.