As Ya'self...hmmm...

“And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31KJV

Concluding or perhaps actually starting an argument a short time ago, as I walked away, I yelled out “I just don’t understand why you would do this to me?!” And quite naturally, it was received as rhetorical so I didn’t wait around for an answer (I was in no mood to receive their response anyway).

But as soon as my breathing returned to its normal pattern, I heard God say (no, not audibly) “You love your neighbor as you love yourself…” And I said it out loud. Y’all know #OutLoud is my thing; it’s the season for puttin’ it out there. After hearing myself say it a couple of times, I realized that THIS is PRINCIPLE—not subject to agreement but law.

PRIN-CI-PLE/ noun/ a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.

LAW/noun/ the system of rules which a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members…

In that moment, I was able to review several incidents I’ve had with this individual and even considered interactions with others’ that left me feeling slighted and had to thank God for the “asked & answered” relationship we have. I was able to resign my emotions of hurt feelings and extend grace for the offense because the truth is—I am being offered love the only way they know love. God forgives me daily for my missteps and I definitely fall short of loving Him back on His level and eagerly accept His grace when I love Him as I love myself—knowing He is deserving of far more.

IF you are willing to accept a challenge, I challenge you to pray peace and growth for the person who seems to offer you ‘less than’ time and time again. Everything happens in God’s timing but You can pay attention to see when that change begins to take place.

In the meantime, love your neighbor…