It sounds so very simple – doesn’t it?  We love our kids, our friends, our family, our church friends, maybe some of our neighbors, our pets…

But…

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  [Luke 6:32]

I will always believe that my neighbors are some of the worst and most trying people to ever walk this planet.  I have come to find that most of us have some of these neighbors, or at the very least, we know some people that are most definitely difficult to ‘love’!

And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.  [Mark 12:33]

There are always, always, going to be people in our lives that try us or test our patience!  Thing is, the Bible specifically says to love those that are unlovable!  -Talk about convicting!

8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.  [Romans 13:8-10]

Perhaps we are even afraid to love certain kinds of people.  ‘Afraid’ of the rejection…’Afraid’ of the blow our reputation may take…

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.  [1 John 4:18]

On Thursday, my children and I spent the day running errands, coming in contact with many unhappy customer service reps, shoppers and drivers!  You talk about a day to try someone’s patience!  Quite frankly, by the end of the day, I wasn’t the happiest person either – but I did continue to try.  Try to be polite.  Try to smile.  Try to be a loving example of God’s love!

Let all that you do be done in love.  [1 Corinthians 16:14]

That’s all we can ever really do.  We will never be totally perfect until the day we meet our Father in Heaven.  But the important thing is to passionately continue to try.  Continue to love.  Continue to strive for Godliness!

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  [ Philippians 3:12]

Sincerely loving and caring for others is a God-given act of selflessness!

By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.  [John 13:35]

If I could be known for only one thing when I leave this world, I think being known for my love and compassion would be awesome!

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.  [Luke 6:35]