pattern // love everyone always

The third Sunday in Advent represents love. When I started thinking about what kind of pattern I should make for this, I didn't have to think for long. "Love everyone, always" is a big idea that my church shared this fall, and it needs to be stitched and shared.

When asked, Jesus said that the heart of it all is this: Love the Lord...and love your neighbor as yourself. And when asked who your neighbor really is, Jesus told a story that made it clear that even the person you might think of as your enemy, is your neighbor. Another time He flat out said to love your enemies, do good for them, bless them and pray for them.

So basically, love everyone. Always.

Love your literal neighbor who is never happy with how you keep your lawn. Love the people who always seem to be perfect and who look down on your frazzledness. (I made that word up.) Love the family member who disagrees with your political views. And yes, love the politician that makes your skin crawl and the people who threaten your safety and security.

None of these things mean that you have to like what a person does, nor does it mean that you should go along with whatever they say or do. There are ideas and actions that we need to stand up to. But it does mean that at a minimum you should treat those people the way you would want to be treated. As a human being.

I don't always like this idea. Sometimes I can't even wrap my head around how to do it. But if God loves the world and everyone in it enough to send His Son Jesus to live on earth and give His life for us, I think I can try.

DOWNLOAD THE LOVE EVERYONE, ALWAYS PATTERN

Having an embroidered reminder is a good start. Hang it somewhere that you'll see on a regular basis. And then speak and act in love to everyone you encounter.

#LoveEveryoneAlways