Love with Extravagance

Love with extravagance.

Live fully.

Laugh out loud….LITERALLY.

Why do we feel the need to sensor ourselves? Specifically our emotions? I love to love people, with extravagance. Isn’t that what God calls us to do? First love Him, and love our neighbors? To me love shows up through an inkling, which may just be the Holy Spirit nudging us; that I immediately ignore with “common sense”. “No, I shouldn’t drop off the freshly baked banana bread to my friends’ doorstep. What if they’re home?” Or other excuses like, “I don’t have time, I’m too busy, What if I get rejected?”

Enough is enough. It’s time to put the million excuses away and simply follow the command of Loving our neighbors. Be courageous to love one another!

Lately I’ve been convicted of the negative words that have been spewing out of my mouth (Eph 4:31-32). Opposite of love right?! It’s been a constant battle, I’ve asked co-workers, friends, and family to help me banish the negative and replace it with positives. How do I do this? By loving others. It’s tough, it’s rough, and some days it’s downright impossible; but, slowly, I’m working on replacing the hard-heartedness with random acts of kindness, with leaving notes of encouragement to a co-worker, with LOVING WITHOUT FEAR.

This also means to love myself. In my current sleepy-eyed, no makeup, hair askew, state. This mama self that I’m getting acquainted to. I’ve been working on loving this new person that showed up with parenthood (not just the baby, but me). What have I done for myself? It can be as simple as sipping coffee, looking through pinterest while my son is asleep (naps are God’s gift to mamas!), or watching my secret (not so secret now) reality TV. Don’t judge! It’s mindless and it’s like a train wreck, you just can’t take your eyes away! It has also shown up by picking up my dusty guitar and jamming out. Or, going to the gym, not completely because I’m unhappy with my self-image, but mostly because it’s one hour away from the house with all the chores that are beckoning me, my family, and something that’s completely selfish.

All this to say that I’m not the queen of love and the warm fuzzies; far from it! I’m learning to love with purpose, to love God, others, and myself.

Put steps to your inklings and Love fiercely!

Love bravely.

Love with complete and utter extravagance.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. 

-Eph. 4:31-32, NLT