Agape Love

Phil and I have been going to a new church. We have found a new church home. We love it there and the messages that are being shared are soul shaking.
This last Sunday it was about upgrades. This particular upgrade that the preaching was speaking about was love. I  sat up a little taller because I am good in this department. I love my precious son.

I love my husband. I love Jesus. I love my family. You all know that, right? As he began speaking I was listening. But to be completely honest I was sitting in my chair, smile plastered and feeling proud. I know how to love.

Then the proverbial smack on the head occurred. Sure I know how to love. But do I give it freely and of no prejudice. We are called to love in spite of. I am called to love others, in spite of the way they look. I am called to love my coworkers, in spite of our differences. I am called to love that homeless man that always sits at our park during sundown, in spite of his class in society. I am called to love my neighbor, in spite of their obnoxiously loud barking dog.

I don't love in spite of.

I love my husband, son, friends, family, because it is easy. It is not hard to love others that are like me and we share a common ground. Easy Peasy.


I say that I love Jesus, but me holding in my love for others like me is not really true agape love. The kind of love that Jesus loves us with. The kind of love that I hope to share.


The next part of his message really opened my eyes but mostly my heart. I don't have to try harder. I am not capable to love like Jesus loves. But I am capable to surrender my heart and give it to God and He can use it as He chooses.


I surrendered.


I can honestly say that I have not tried harder. I have prayed harder. And I have noticed a difference. I hope that I can be a light and share love to those that really need it. Those that are at their rock bottoms, those that are broken hearted, those that are scared, those that just need a simple smile.

I hope that I can be an example for Max. So that when he is grown and is able to choose how he shares his love, he shares it, in spite of.