Love God, Love Others

“Because to love others means we have to have soft hearts.”

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39

All of us mommas serve people in some way and, at its core, serving requires deep care.  I don’t believe that any of us take for granted the depth of responsibility or the gift that it is to be allowed to care.

In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus gives us two great commands. 

I think it can be easy, maybe even safe, to look at the first part of this command and set aside the second portion. To love God, go to church, do the things, and keep your nose down. What is more difficult, and more risky, is to take the second portion and hold it in equal importance to the first. To love our neighbor as ourselves. That is risky, not as safe, more vulnerable. 

But, as the verse in Matthew tells us, God says that we are to love Him, and in the same way we are to love others as ourselves. 

When I say not safe, what I mean is that loving others hurts sometimes. Have you ever had a day when you’ve tried so hard to love your family through serving, but it appeared that no one appreciated your efforts? Maybe whatever dinner you prepared wasn’t met with thanksgiving, or despite having just finished all the laundry, your kid announces they have nothing to wear. Or maybe you chose the wrong colored bowl for the cereal (toddlers, ami right). Sometimes we can brush it off and move on, but other times it stings. I often pray that my kids will have the ability to care for others, to love them well. And I hope that they will be able to do this even when it hurts.  Because to love others means we have to have soft hearts. And soft hearts get broken, stepped on, and bruised. But a broken, soft, caring, loving heart is what Jesus has.

And that’s the Jesus we want to follow. He humbled Himself in so many ways, allowed us to literally break Him, and still He continues on loving us and caring for us. And He called us to do the same. In John 13, Jesus takes off His outer garments, ties a towel around His waist, and washes the disciples feet. He reminded them that they call Him “Lord” and “Teacher”, as they should, and because of those titles they are to behave as He does. In humility, service and love.  

What does this have to do with serving our families and others around us? The kindness and love that we have been given the opportunity to show our kiddos is an act of obedience in sharing God’s love. Maybe pouring cereal, washing another load of laundry, wiping snot off a nose feels small, but these small things over time make a large impact.   

My challenge to you is to focus on loving God by loving others, starting in your own household.  If we as moms faithfully love and serve those who have been put in our charge, and not alone but mutually loving and encouraging one another, we are a strong representation of who God is and can more accurately share His love with those around us.  I don’t do this perfectly, none of us do, but I am so grateful for this mom community where we get to live life alongside each other as we work toward the great commission to love God and love others.

Let’s pray. Father, You created us in Your image and You are LOVE. Lord, please fill us with Your love, because without You, we aren’t able to love others well. Help us to have soft hearts in a world of hardened hearts, to continue loving and serving even when it’s hard. Lord, we love only because You first loved us. Help us to remember that and to lean on You every day.  Amen

Written by Barbara, a mom trying to love God and love others.

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