Not Your Typical Love Message: let's love differently!

We took down our Christmas decorations December 26, 2016, not because we are grinches, but because we had to be in California to speak at a student event. Unfortunately, we were out of travel-sized shampoo, so I stopped in the drug store. It was decked out already, not with Christmas or New Year's decorations, but with pink and purple hearts. Stores were already getting ready for the consumers to jump on the Love Month bandwagon. 

Whether we like it or not, the month of February is dedicated to LOVE!! But what is love? Is it kisses, roses, fluttery feelings in our hearts and stomachs, a romantic evening, or finally attracting that person you've had your eye on? 

Certainly when we love someone, we will enjoy expressing it these ways, but I believe the hardest  expressions of love are often misunderstood or abandoned because they don't look pretty or packaged. This month we are going to talk about how to love more deeply. How do we love each other when it's tough?

I Corinthians 13:4-8 describes how God loves us: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 

God's love is forgiving and gracious, but His love also convicts and disciplines. So, how do we love each other in tough circumstances; like in accountability and through conflict? How do we love and embrace people from a different culture or background? How do we step out of our comfortable "love-zone" and show God's love in ways we didn't previously considered doable?

If you're thinking this sounds like a challenge, you're right. But I know a good challenge always pushes me spiritually. Maybe you're looking for a spiritual push too? As we talk about this month's subject, I'd love to hear your comments/advice! And since many of us will be out of our comfort zones, this month's giveaway will be something to pamper you! So keep your eyes open on how to win during the last week of February!

Praying you keep moving forward in your faith until next time. -Sharie