As many of you know, I work at Petsmart. I've only worked there for about 2 months now, but I've noticed one thing in particular as I've watched people come and go: people love their pets. They buy them decent food, give them shelter and fresh water, replace their toys, buy clothes for them, groom them, teach them manners, discipline them...the list goes on and on. All the time, I hear people mutter how they never leave without spending at least $100 on their babies.
And it got me thinking.
What if people treated everyone around them in this fashion? How different would this world be if we loved as we are called to love? I'm not talking about the superficial "I love you so I'm just going to let you get away with everything" love either. I'm talking about something deeper and more real than that. The kind of love where you can correct behavior, disagree, and grow through.
Matthew 22:38 says to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Its talking about this kind of love. Sure, there are going to be people that we dislike; instead of seeking to change them, seek to love them enough to want what is best for them. And if they will love themselves, they will want what is best for them and want to change. Keep loving on them and support them through those changes.
A fair forewarning, though: this kind of love towards everyone you meet can, and most likely will, lead to some frustration. You want what's best for those around you, why can't they want it for themselves?! Just remember, the world looks different through every set of eyes. My world through my eyes looks much different from my world through your eyes. Try to look through a different perspective every once in a while. It just might change your life.