Wednesday, November 30, 2016

what the supermarket lady taught me about love

Image result for supermarket tumblr
Yesterday I casually complimented one of the check-out ladies in the supermarket and it couldn't have had a more profound effect.

It wasn't anything big - I just said that I liked her hair bow.
But this lady just lit up. She beamed at me and we chatted
for a few minutes. I could tell that it really meant something to her.

I don't say that to pump myself up, it's just that now it's got me thinking. 

I've been reading 1st John lately, 
and it's all about love. 

Specifically, showing Jesus' love to others. 
1st John reasons that if Christ loved us so much that He died for us, we in turn should pour that unconditional love out on others.

But I'm selfish.

And most days, I'm a fighter, not a lover.
But Christ always lavishes me in love. And lately He's just been
absolutely hammering that issue of love into my mind.

What does love look like?

I don't really know the specifics yet. I'm still learning. 

But I have noticed something - love changes the way I think. Because at the end of the day, what I put in my head, and what I fixate on in my mind, really matters. This can be powerful, or it can be damaging.

So maybe my frame of mind is essential to love. 
Maybe it begins here. Maybe my mindset is everything.

On the days when I have drenched myself in Scripture, I can fight my way through the fires of this culture. I have a better line of defense against the lies I tend to feed. And I can see clearly that I was made to love, and to be loved - this is what I was born for. 

I wasn't created to wish that I looked like someone else. 

I wasn't designed by my Maker to compare myself
to friends or family or celebrities, or even myself of the past. 

 Why do I so often choose anxiety and pride and a 
billion other lies instead of God's warm arms?

Well, I am here. 

I exist.

And so do you.

Do you want more?
We're not getting any younger.
Every day that passes is a day that we'll never have back.

And I wonder, today, did I live to get by? 
Did I live for the deadlines?
Or did I love?

Goal: I want to see the beauty in others and in who God has made me to be and to smile, because none of us are bulletproof. 

I want to embrace these vulnerabilities, even in those moments I have to smile to keep from screaming.

He loves us. Don't forget.

To see the beaming smile of the check-out lady when I complimented her hair bow - maybe that was it. To see someone else feel known, appreciated. To truly see someone even when they might feel invisible. Maybe that is love. 

Prequel to the Love Series. What that is, remains to be seen. 

+ Yo yo yo my blogging people - has anyone else noticed the changes with Blogger lately? A new design? Is it just me? AM I GOING MAD?! 
Also, what is one way that you like to show love to people around you? 
Baking cookies is always acceptable.

14 comments:

  1. "I wasn't designed by my Maker to compare myself
    to friends or family or celebrities, or even myself of the past."

    I've been struggling with this a lot lately.

    Your words hit deep tonight, reminding me that the mind is powerful and that a mind focused on Christ is "life and peace" (Romans 8). We are missing so much when we choose to focus on these temporary, selfish things instead of the incredible gift of loving others.

    You've reminded me of great truth, and I thank you very much for that Erin!

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    1. Gosh, so am I! :( I have moments of victory and moments of anxiety and comparison, all within the same day. Sometimes within the same hour! It's this culture, I swear, it wants to take us out. But we're not going down that easily!

      I love that verse so much...Romans 8 is probably my favorite chapter in the Bible, aside from a few favorite Psalms. It's just so rich.

      Thank you for encouraging me! I'm so glad God was able to use my words. Praying that we both learn to believe what He says about us, rather than the lies.

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    2. Saammme. We have so much in common! And Romans 8 holds an answer to almost every question, I believe. It is my favorite chapter too, but Colossians 3 and Psalms 139 are close. And some in Isaiah. And so many others, really.

      Yes, you are a constant encouragement to me, thank you so much!

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    3. I know, for real girl! It's such a blessing to know that we're not alone in this fight. Ooh, Psalms 139 is the jam. Trying to memorize the whole thing bit by bit cuz it's just that good. :)

      Aw, you're sweet! Thank you for being a light!

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  2. This is so perfect and inspiring <3 and I love your blog design, it's one of my favorites that I follow actually!

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    1. Aw, you are the bomb! Glad you liked the post and thanks for the blog design comment. :) I love tweaking the design and last night I spent a few hours touching it up, so that means a lot! :D

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  3. wow, this is wonderful. i can really relate to the fighter/lover thing... i like to consider myself a lover, but a lot lately i've been a fighter and it isn't always pretty. thank you for this beautiful reminder to love!! (i've noticed the blogger changes too - it's weird!!)

    andsowewillbethehopeful.blogspot.com

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    1. Boy, do I relate to that. I've been straight up ugly towards God lately, but it's so encouraging to remember that He loves us in spite of how nasty we can be sometimes. What a blessing! Thanks for commenting :) And isn't the new Blogger weird? Now I'm always like, "GAH WHERE'S THE HOME PAGE"

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  4. The new design to Blogger totally tripped me out. XD

    I feel like this post has been directed at me because last night i was with some people that are difficult to get along with, and I didn't show them God's love. It is our purpose here on earth to bring glory to God's name, and we do that by loving others. I NEED TO FULFILL MY PURPOSE and not be a useless jellyfish. Because nobody likes those.

    Really needed this post. Thanks. :)

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    1. Right?! It's seriously bugging me. I loved having the homepage. Now it's just....one page. So odd. NOT A FAN

      Oh girl, I feel you. One of the toughest things about love is that we are called to love the unlovable. Not just our best friends, but those that irritate us. That's the hard (though not impossible) part.

      And haha you are never a useless jellyfish! Though that has to be the best expression I've heard in a long time! lol

      No problem. Glad it helped!! :-)

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  5. I love this post so much <3 It's always so incredible how a little thing can go a long way. Love is such a vital and amazing part of life, and so often I wonder if I'm doing part of living out this life with the love that God called me to.

    AND YES THE NEW BLOGGER DESIGN UHG. I don't really like it a lot, but I guess it's more simple than the other one? I don't know, it's pretty crazy.

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    1. Aw, I'm glad you liked it! I love how you put that - a little thing really CAN go a long way. I know that tiny sweet things people have said or done for me have meant the world, though the person who did it may not have even noticed. What we say and do carries weight. Interesting!

      I think the thing to remember about love is that we can't do it without God. We have to let the Spirit do it through us, and ask for help, because let's be real, I'm more interested in myself most days than loving other people. D:

      I don't get it! It confuses me so much. It's so much more difficult for me to locate the comments awaiting moderation. WHOSE IDEA WAS THIS

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  6. Man oh man, this post was so convicting, Erin. " Why do I so often choose anxiety and pride and a billion other lies instead of God's warm arms?"

    ^^ That basically slapped me in the face. I'm working really hard lately to spread more love, but it's hard. But you're so right- the days that I drench myself in Scripture are so much easier.

    "Did I live for the deadlines? Or did I love?" I tend to find myself living for those deadlines way more often than I should. I guess it's the perfectionist in me, I don't know. But I know that gosh, this post punched me in the heart in the best way possible. I'm not very coherent right now, but I just want to say that I love this and you.

    (and I hate the new blogger layout) XD

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    1. Gosh, you're so right, spreading love IS hard. It's something we constantly have to keep working at, but never in our own strength, only in Christ's. I've got nothing to give most days, to be honest.

      Oh, me too! So often I go to work and school and then wonder what I really accomplished that day. But spreading love in little ways and constantly praying for others helps. And I'm a perfectionist too!! So I totally relate!

      I'm glad this meant something to you! It's been on my heart lately so I thought I'd share. You rock! <3

      (YES! It's so annoying. What's up with that?!)

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Go with grace.