Say "I Love You"
When you stand before God, what might be your greatest regret? Mine? Not saying "I love you".
Brad Wilcox once said, "In an increasingly polarized world, what will bridge the gulf that divides us? How can such a "small and simple thing" as care for others transform us into better people than we have been?"
Can I entertain grace for those around me? It just might be possible that saying the words, "I love you" will bridge a gap that is growing into a deeper and deeper chasm. The words "I love you" can change small corners of the world which, in turn, expand to the whole world.
I love Mother Teresa's "Anyway" poem. It was found inscribed on the wall of her home in Calcutta.
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway,
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
(Discovered inscribed on a wall in her home in Calcutta.)
In the Book of Mormon, book of Alma chapter 13, verse 28, Alma writes: But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering.
In deeply pondering this one scripture, I am filled with joy that these simple, basic character traits are led by the Holy Spirit. How then does the Holy Spirit help one-- help ME to remember love for others; and more importantly speak the words, "I love you"?
Did Melissa hear those three words in that last text... that last phone call? So many others have crossed the veil... did I say "I love you" before they left. I wish I had used those three words more often with my Dad.
Have I told my children "I love you" enough? My husband? My siblings? My mother? My friends?
But what about others... those who are different in religion, in life perspective, in culture? What if? What if three words, "I love you", could bridge the chasms that inevitably appear through differences? It must start with humility. It CAN start!
One of the most beautiful insights I've ever read talks about how the two great commandments "work together in complete harmony". When we can love God and love those around us, we can assure that our lives will be blessed with the light of Christ. That light can guide our actions, can give us patience, can bring self-love. Boy, do I need that! Self-love makes it so much easier to love others.
I want love in my life. I want Christ in my life. I want people around me to love, to be loved, and to know that I love them. I never want differences to embroil my relationships.
Why give rise to further polarization? There is enough hate in the world today. I choose love. <3
Who can you say, "I love you" to today?
Citation:
Goodreads. (n.d.). A quote by Mother Teresa. Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7969043-mother-teresa-s-anyway-poem-people-are-often-unreasonable-illogical-and
The heart of the gospel: Love god and neighbor. Homepage - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (n.d.). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/1f882d3c80ef11ef8bff02d0ea859845d40f6e40?lang=eng&alang=eng
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