While I know that we are commanded to love one another, I still have a difficult time loving all of whom I meet. I would imagine that it will take a lifetime before I will accomplish such a high calling. To be quite honest, I do not love everyone I meet. It takes a lot of work at times.
We have a person in our congregation at church that amazes me. While (let us say he in this case) he will tell the whole group of how he loves each and every one of us from the bottom of his heart. Yet, he will turn around and say something completely negative about anything in his path.
Now going back to his first statement, "I love each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart."
Since I have seen and heard for myself this particular behavior, I now want a turn to ask questions.
"Would you PLEASE tell me what you mean by the bottom of your heart?"
"Where exactly is the bottom of your heart?"
"NO! Never mind I don't want to know." Whoa that was close!
"Could you try to love me from the top of your heart? It just sounds better."
Okay, so now that I have giggled to myself and know that we all must work on this subject matter, I will keep quiet and smile only politely. I must wipe off that impish look I often have.
I personally would be better off to reflect upon, the good Samaritan:
Jesus tells a parable about what it means to love your neighbor. A man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked by thieves who rob him and leave him for dead. A priest and a Levite both pass by. A Samaritan helps him, showing he loves his neighbor. We should do the same.
