This month is a time many of us have set aside to celebrate our love for another. Though when you really ponder the concept of love it is indeed something we ought to practice celebrating regularly, not after one has passed on, for they can no longer smell the flowers and certainly not only one month out of the year. Whether we are willing to admit it or not we literally thrive on this type of affirmation as human beings. We were built to love and be loved and as the famous author, Gary Chapman says, we must work daily at keeping one another's love tanks full.

When my focus becomes what I can do to make you smile and your focus becomes what you can do to make me smile then we have reached the epitome of the transference of love. That is, we have covered all bases with one another by covering each other in love. I have been pondering how we tend to use this word so flippantly and attach the word love to nearly everything. I love seafood, I love chocolate, I love . . . you see what I mean. This same concept is applied to how we use the word hate. I hate going to the grocery store, I hate having to get up early every morning . . . We over extend the use of these words.

My challenge to us this month is to consider our use of the word love. I know this sounds simple and is not a very deep activity, but I believe our words are so powerful that they begin to activate within the atmosphere causing our lives to become molded by the words we choose. There is life and death in the power of your tongue, (Proverbs 18:21). When we examine the way we use words from this perspective perhaps we will become compelled to choose our words with care, which will in-turn, cause us to become more committed to what we say; backing our words with action.

When I was young, in our home I heard I love you, all day. My father never let a day pass when I was in his presence that he did not express his love for me. However, this is not what sticks with me most. His actions after saying he loved me made the biggest impression and fondest memory. The way he expressed himself in deed far exceeded his words. It was in a touch, or a special outing, or the meal he prepared, or even a gentle smile while I jumped rope and he washed his car. This is what I refer to as making a memory of love. I want my children, my family to experience my love for them beyond just my words. I desire for my neighbors to see love in action to the point they are inspired to share with others. Remember, the love of Christ was demonstrated, not only orated.

I am not too naïve to acknowledge that this is no easy task especially when we struggle on the receiving end because of the many cracks and holes we come with. When love is being poured in to your heart, it may have a way of seeping out through the brokenness from within. My hope today is that you will do what you must to obtain healing so you can be filled and over flowing with a love that is functional and bringing life to your world. I invite you to visit our web site to read the short story Cracked.From this encouraging story, I pray that you will no longer settle for a tweak here and there but for a total transformation from within.

Abiding,