Hard to love

Have you ever thought about how hard it is to love someone? Or tried to love someone who just made it so much harder than it needs to be?

I mean, they should know you're making a valiant effort, but they ignore all you're attempts to reach out. They brush off your gestures of understanding. They criticize your offers of service and help.  They always seem to make the same bad choices that landed them in the position their in. Over and over again. All your attempts to do something nice backfire as if you are trying to attack them. You reach out and they reject you, only for them to complain that you aren't doing enough to include them, welcome them or accept them. 

It's frustrating. Sometimes it makes you want to scream at them, "Don't you get it!!! If you'd just do what I'm telling you, this would be so much easier!!"

Have you ever thought about how hard it is to love you? Or that someone is trying to love you, who just make it so much harder than it needs to be?

We've been given the imperative that we must love others as we love ourselves (& loving ourselves isn't as easy as it sounds either). We were even given an example of what real love is - sacrificial. 

Yet we spend all our time declaring how our needs are important, we must be recognized, we shouldn't get forgotten either. When people start grabbing for pieces of the pie we are eager to make sure we get our cut and that it won't be the worst or last piece either. "WHAT ABOUT US?!" We say.

But if you're spending all you're time worrying about your piece of the pie, how is it that you are convinced you are loving others well. Maybe it's not so much that the other pets is hard to love, but that you find it hard to really love anyone with the kind of transformative love that you were offered by Christ Jesus. 

When you love, do you ask someone to change first or do you live deeply first? Do you give of what you have without holding back and without worrying about your piece of the pie? Do you serve without expecting a thank you or return service? Do you refuse to reach out if someone doesn't extend their hand toward you?

You already have someone who gave it ALL in order that you might take part in his full share of inheritance. He did it when you were still broken and messed up - he offered his treasure before you even wanted it. He watches after each step in your life and loves you even when you spit in his face and say I'm not interested in what you offer today. 

If you have someone who has given you that much, do you really need to spend your life hoarding your measly piece of the pie?