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K. Day

Insight on Love

Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:34-36

Often I reflect about what I have accomplished. It is through my personal reflection I am able to press myself and grow. Reflections may include how a meeting went, how I would make a recipe different the next time, how I could improve a particular lesson, what I got as the takeaways from a sermon or devotion, or how a particular song relates to me or to the people in my life.

It’s not often I think back and reflect on my week as a whole but that is exactly what I did. (The last time I did this I probably just came home from a vacation. LOL) As I reflected over the past week I thought about the times that were most meaningful to me.

Although my list is not all-inclusive it does display the wide-range spectrum of moments upon which I reflected. Each of these times honestly ranks within the highlights of my week.

-assisting a student,

-engaging in a brisk conversation with the cashier at my local grocery store,

-conversing with a friend while standing outside drinking a cup of coffee,

-catching up with a coworker since the craziness of the storm,

-talking with my parents,

-lending a helping hand to a needy neighbor,

-spending quality time with my own children (both in person and from a distance),

-touching base with an old friend (picking up right where we left off even though we don’t speak as often as we should)

-text messages sprinkled throughout the days making me smile,

-shopping with others in mind

-writing a letter of encouragement to a friend then being filled with the anticipation of them receiving my letter.

-spending time with my husband ranging from simple conversations to going to a doctor’s appointment with him for support,

-spending time in the word and worshiping God.

This week I actually started Christmas shopping. I love when you find the perfect gift you believe someone will love. (It is only when you truly know a person will you know if they will love your gift.)

I realized each highlight on my list ended up being times built around interpersonal relationships. Each involved a personal connection to my heart. Only when I was giving of myself and putting others first did it have any significant meaning in my week. Only when I had made a personal investment did it gain importance. This was true of every situation.

My reflection showed a stark comparison to other times during the week where I interacted out of routine and necessity. Not only did those times not appear as highlights of my week but also they were also meaningless and with no depth. It was only then I realized why I must to give myself completely (heart, soul and mind).

I have heard the verses from Matthew 22 and thought I understood the importance of the verses until now. It is amazing how the word of God is refreshing and meets us exactly where we are in life. I guess-- Go big or go home. Going forward I am determined to give a concentrated effort to give my all especially in my quiet times with God as well as living the way He would have me to exemplify Christ in my life.

I am resolved to love the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind and love my neighbor as myself understanding my neighbor is anyone I come in contact with on a daily basis.

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