Love Others

Ever since I can remember, my mother has instilled in me a love for people. She has shown me to love everyone..not just those I would naturally want to love. Until I hit highschool, I just kinda accepted everyone, and thought I loved everyone. I sadly realized I loved the people who loved me, or who were lovely people. But God has placed me in several unique situations where my mom’s lessons of loving others have come shining through. I have worked in day camp the past two summers, and let me tell you..that is the best place to learn how to love others. Some of those kids are so bad, all you want to do is put them in time-out the whole day. But sometimes, you get a glimpse into their lives..either they tell you or you see it. I have listened to so many kids talk about their home lives, and it is so sad..I have grown to love those kids, even when I had to tell them for the 80th time to line up. All they wanted was someone to notice them. I help out with the kindergarteners at school..and several of them can be quite the little stinkers. But then someone tells you a little about their home life, or they tell you that their dad lives in an apartment and their mom has a boyfriend..and you realize, all these kids want is someone who will love them. And I just read mr.harmless’ blog..chosen..you should read it.. It struck me..I may not still be in pe, and I am usually not in a place where I have to pick teams..but what about on a daily basis. Are their people in my life who I’m not loving like I should..well, of course there are. I think of how easy it is for me to love those indergarteners and my day camp kids..but then I go back to highschool and all of a sudden, I forget to look for that person who may be having a bad day. I forget to reach out to that person who may be lonely..I get caught up in my friends.. God has called us to love our neighbor as ourself..and so often, I forget the love your neighbor part, and focus on the loving me part. I think back over the years and I can see face after face of people that I should have reached out to, and should have loved..but thankfully God gives us 2nd chances, and I can start new today.