Word for the day “The legacy of love”
I John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
The language of love is multi-dimensional.
Love has many components and dimensions. It’s not all emotion and it often takes great effort. In other words, many times love is what love does. Everyone experiences love differently, and it's easy to miss the mark when it comes to showing that you love family and friends especially when showing that you care.
Love is the greatest form of spirituality. Perhaps, embodied in our life frustrations is a Love void. It may be plausible, that our personal dissatisfactions are a void of loving oneself, embracing the Love of God, and ultimately the ability to give and receive love. This is particularly challenging, when we are seemingly incapable to give others what we do not have for ourselves.
In Fact, as the years have passed and I have come to know a little bit more about the challenge of love. In my role as I have the privilege to counsel people, families, and even friends that are affected by being love frustrated in their lives, I can relate to them personally often.
As a result, I’ve begun to assess myself and reflect on them and upon my own understanding of what is the ultimate root of this life and love significance. I recognized the void of an authentic God love that has morphed into a diminished love of self. When we embrace God’s love in our lives, I have discovered we stand a better chance of loving ourselves in my personal experience.
Perhaps this is not the case for everyone, but I thought it important to share my experience in this matter of love.
Forgiveness is an act of love for oneself and towards others.
Another significant dimension of love that can require great effort is the act of forgiveness. Love, in its most liberating form, forgives. Forgiveness can be simple, or it can be difficult and complicated. It has its best chance to present itself when one has learned it from a parent over years of observation.
If our children are to be forgiving, their parents must teach them the art of forgiveness. Every day in thousands of ways, children are asking parents, “Do you forgive me?” the hard reality is expectations can often lead parents to consciously or unconsciously give the message, “You’re not forgiven.”
Forgiveness is taught and learned in dimensions of love within families and all human relationships. However, once again our ability or inability to forgive ourselves and others is rooted in our relationship with God. The bible reminds us that God is love (I John 4:8, 16). I believe it’s time for some of us to make some personal changes in our life’s journey, especially in learning about the power of love for ourselves and for our legacies.
Quote: “Legacy is not only what you leave for someone, but more importantly, it’s what you leave in someone”. James Baker, Jr.
Point to ponder
I am forever grateful that I have chosen a life of spirituality and God as my ultimate source for better or worse. When I have gone through challenging periods in my life and felt dysfunctional personally.
It is God that I reached out to and felt the presence of the Sovereign God greater than myself, to affirm me that I’m loved. Love is what love does to family and friends. Let’s prepare and be ready to model love in its various dimensions to our family and relationships.
What message are you communicating to others?
Do you struggle to Love yourself?
Do you struggle to forgive others?
What are you personally doing to grow in your Love relationships?
Is it plausible that Love relationships start with God?·
What legacy of love are you leaving?
Special thanks!
James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in the month of June 2022, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Ms. Annette Straker, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Itholear Abbott, Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Jeanette Grant, Ms. Angela Battle, Ms. Cynthia Artis-Waiters, Ms. Michelle Winder Branch, Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson, Mrs. Shakeema Lowe, Ms. Rita McGuffin, Mr. Calvin Griffith, Mrs. Angela Harrison, Ms. Shawna Chester, Ms. Jennifer Sanchez, Ms. Evelyn Rosado, and Ms. Gertrude Scott.
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Kingdom Blessings,