The power of people is real.  Individuals can make a difference. What attracts us to some and not others?  Is it their generosity to love, willingness to live with open hands, availability to listen?  Each day we pass hundreds of people shielded in their cars or walking on the sidewalk.  Have you ever actually looked at those behind you in the rear-view mirror?  Often you see a poor reflection of who they are.  What about the cars flying past on the freeway?  The humans behind the wheel are all but a blur.  How many times in walking your usual route, do you pass someone?  Are you passing with head held up and intentionally looking at them with bit of a smile or do you keep your head down and pass quickly without acknowledging their presence?  God asks us to love people.  I can easily love my spouse, my son, daughter-in-love and my precious grand-babies.  Family – I can easily love.  Others, struggle to love even those closest to them.  Why? What or where is the disconnect?

How about loving the person in the car ahead of you who seems determined to maintain a snail’s pace during your commute?  What about loving the faceless individual who just called you trying to sell the latest tele market deal?  How about the cranky old guy, living down the block who insists on critically calling out the shortcomings of his neighbors? The troll on social media that seems to always be ready to spar with anyone who has a different opinion?  Those who incite anger?  Sounds tough to me.  What a daunting task to love those we don’t know.

In looking back on my journey and what made the road easier, were the people who loved.  What I find fascinating is as each one came into my life, they were there for that specific season, planted their seed of love and then faded gently into the horizon seemingly tag-teaming the next person or family that came along to love on my son and I. Some, have been lifelong friends; others, I couldn’t tell you where they are today.  But what I can tell you is the indelible mark they left on my life.  The love that was imprinted and has yet to fade.

There are some that were in the forefront as positive, engaging souls.  In the background, I would find out years later, they were praying over my life and my family.  These individuals remained anonymous in their actions, asking for nothing in return.  The encouragement and strength that came from their investment was priceless.

What are the characteristics of those who love easily?  They are selfless, generous with time, authentic, non-judgmental and compassionate.  Regardless of circumstance, these individuals understand relationship.

I want to be one who loves generously.  It requires me to move outside my circumstances, focusing outward.  We need to take care of our nest first – make certain family receives the best of us.  When home is in order, I think we’ll find an abundance of additional energy to share.  Baby steps each day – exchanging a few complimentary words at the coffee counter, lifting our eyes to smile at the passerby on the walking path, saying a quick blessing over the distracted driver in front of us, listening with empathy to a coworker’s laments – small choices with big impacts.  The more we practice, the more natural it becomes.  Today would be a good day to start!