Advent with Pressed Olives Day 26

Proverbs 10:12 

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. (ESV)

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This verse reminds that living is all about loving. Neither living nor loving are easy. Yesterday was a day that demonstrated for me that loving is worth it. That loving with a love that only Jesus can teach, is worth it. That loving with the love that Jesus gives me, is worth it. 

Christmas Day is mostly full of joy, though through so many years it has also been full of hurt. The reasons for the hurt make sense - divorced parents, fragmented family, unmet unexpectations. Understanding the reasons for the pain has not made it feel less painful. My family day, yesterday, was absent of hurt. Which is truly a miracle. The day could have looked so differently if Jesus had not given me the strength to choose love on so many occasions.

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Choosing to love through pain is not easy. There are moments, though, that the worthiness of that choice is more obvious. This verse in Proverbs seems impossible many days. Clearly, the wise writer of Provers (Solomon) knew the human heart. He knew what love can do to a relationship and he knew what hate could do to a relationship. He also knew that we have a choice. 

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I have often said that llfe would be easier without choices. I have often longed for a sign to come out of the sky to tell me what do do. I have even prayed for that. It has never happened. I'm not saying Jesus did not guide me toward the right choices, but so many times I really wanted the choice to be easier and I really wanted the choice to be clearer. The life of Jesus was full, overflowing really, of examples of how to life. How to choose love instead of hate.

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For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV

It is always a good day to reflect on the amazing love that Jesus has for us. And it is always a good day to choose to love others. Choose love today and reflect on how you can continue to love in the way that Jesus wants you to. It is not going to feel easy. Jesus will show you how and give you the strength.

Jesus. thank You for the amazing love that we live in everyday when we are living with You in our hearts. Help us, today, to choose to love even when it is hard. Help us in the upcoming days, in the upcoming new year, to learn to love better, as You would have us love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.