{LOVE}
Some days it feels like the word, “love," has lost its
beauty and splendor. We seem to
love everything these days… Friends, family, food, a TV show, a great movie, an
outfit, a country, a place, a thing, a car… And the list goes on. For me personally, I can’t get enough
of the word. Rather than throwing
it around loosely, I took the time to dig into my heart and figure out why I
love.
{I LOVE THIS PLACE... WHERE I'M WRITING TO YOU FROM}
I’ve had two incredible, tangible examples of love my entire
life. My parents have loved me
with their whole hearts. They have
loved me in such a way, that sometimes my heart physically aches when I’m away
from them. They have shown me how
to love others as well. They have
shown me that although I do not personally know the strangers I pass by
everyday, I sure as heck better show them love. Whether that comes in the form of a smile, a conversation, a
handshake, or a hug, I was called to be a walking example of love. With this deep-rooted kind of love
pulsing through my veins, comes a fair share of heartache. You see, when you love someone
unconditionally, your heart will rejoice with their heart, break with their
heart, cry with their heart, laugh with their heart, and so on. My mom always told me this gift is called
compassion…
{COMPASSION}
So as my wonderful mom and dad taught me about love, God
brought me the most incredible gift to teach me about compassion. He comes in the form of a 20-year-old,
6 foot 1 inch, 180 pound, tall, dark, and handsome (big) little brother,
Blake. His heart beats with mine. Our parents tell us that it has always
been this way… Ever since August 20th, 1992 when my gift arrived in
Houston, Texas.
I think back to my
childhood memories and nearly all of them involve Blake. We never needed to talk much because
that little word, “love," spoke for both of our hearts. I remember endless hours in the
backyard playing in the mud and dirt with all Blake’s trucks and cars and my
Barbie’s. We would build towns,
catch rollie pollies, throw the baseball, kick the soccer ball, watch Barney,
eat snack time together, jump on the trampoline, watch cartoons, and everything
in between.
As we grew up, our
activities changed a bit, but our hearts never lost touch with one
another. As we start to figure out
adulthood together, I continue to sit back in awe of the compassion Blake
offers this world. He is always
looking for a way to serve others in the most humble way. As I came home from the gym early one
morning last week, he was washing my sister’s car and mine as well. Other times, without being asked or
told, he will clean the bathroom we share, empty the dishwasher, clean the
kitchen, vacuum the floor, or send a text that turns your whole day around for
the better. He doesn’t do any of
this for his glory or gain; he does it out of pure love. There are never strings attached and he
is never looking for recognition.
He knows that we are called to love and serve and so he does both…
Flawlessly.
{UNCONDITIONAl}
Be mindful of the reality that not all people have gotten to
experience this free love yet. Be
mindful that the way you treat that stranger may turn around their entire life. Be mindful that choosing love and
forgiveness is hard… So hard that it would be easier to ignore it. But I urge you not to. I urge you to fight for love and figure
out what that word means to you, in the depths of your heart. Restore its value within your own
life. Make it a word you're proud to
use. Be reminded that the thing we
call “unconditional love” came at a great price. Treat it that way.
Be bold in love and rich in sincerity. We’re only here for such a short time, make the most of it.
One of my favorite songs by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is called, “All Wash Out”. It has the most beautiful
lyrics that I will leave you with...
{One more for forgiveness
Twisting in the cold
Singing love, love is something to believe in
Too much my defenses
Are dangling from the chain
Oh but free, free is something to believe in}
With all my love... Always :)
britt :)
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