Alva Review-Courier -

I’ve been thinking a lot about love recently. Last week the lectionary text was Matthew 22:34-46, where Jesus teaches that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, and that the second is like it, to love our neighbors as ourselves. To love God and others is the foundation of what it is to be Christian.

I have also been thinking a lot about my grandmother. She is one of the people who taught me about what it means to love. She enjoyed dressing up for Halloween right up until the end of her 95 years here on Earth, so I often think of her at this time of year. My grandmother was really good at loving people. She truly delighted in other people. Once when she was in the emergency room waiting to be seen, she kept saying things like, “Oh look at that poor child, I hope they take him next,” or “Look at that lovely woman. She clearly needs help. Let’s get someone to help her.” She was unconcerned about when it would be her turn or why it was taking so long. She was committed to the well-being of others. That is love.

She loved all her grandchildren unfailingly. Even when I was a discontented teenager, her bubbling joy at seeing me every single time never failed to bring a smile to my braces-filled mouth. To her I was not awkward or moody, but absolutely delightful. This has shaped me as a person in more ways than I can know, and she did it for all nine of us grandkids. I imagine that is how God loves us and sees us, with absolute delight, every single moment. With such a God singing over us in love (Zephaniah 3:17), rejoicing in our existence, how can we not respond in love? We express our love for God in prayer, in worship, and perhaps most importantly in loving one another.

Paul teaches us about love in 1 Corinthians 13 – Love is patient, love is kind, love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it rejoices in the truth. Love never ends.

Though my grandmother died four years ago my love for her and her love for me has not ended. Love is stronger even than death. The lessons I learned from her about love continue to bear fruit in my life and the lives of my family members. By loving, we fulfill the great commandment of Jesus. Love is not always easy, but it is always our calling as followers of Jesus.

Who needs your love this week? How can you show it to him or her? May God’s love flow in you and through you and out into the world that is so in need of love.