“I am determined that I am going to love everybody, even if it kills me! I have set my heart on it. I am going to do it.”
—A. W. Tozer
Pro tip: Take a few deep breaths before basking in the energy of this note. It releases all the tension and enables you to receive. If you'd like to engage in deep breaths, tick-tock!
Heyyyyyyy,
I don't know what you are called in earthly places but here, in this HQ, you are addressed as Royalty aka YRH( Your Royal Highness).
Do you love yourself?
Search your heart and share what resonates with you. Yes, No, I don't know or I'm working on it. Till infinity is an option too.
One of the gifts I got on my 25th birthday was an admonition and prayer to love myself first. To be honest, I'm glad I got the gift. 4 years thrown at me and I've greatly improved despite the multiple errors.
How can you say you love your family, friends or your favourite next-door neighbour if you don't know how to love the beautifully and wonderfully made you?
Light of the world, what's on your mind?
There are people you know on your contact list, followers or mutuals on social media and you don't like how they care for others. Perhaps, this sounds like someone on your family or friends lists. Is it possible that they haven't learned to love themselves? Because, I believe that love begins with you filling yourself with all its elements; kindness, patience, generosity, truth and more.
Two directions: "Love your neighbour as yourself" by the Bible and "I am determined I am going to love everybody…" by A.W. Tozer.
The lesson I got from the Bible is that love begins with you and from Tozer is that love needs you.
The book of Ephesians blesses us with this wisdom:
God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
Ephesian 4:15-16 MSG
The wonderful fact about any content is the creator or founder. God founded and knows love intimately. In God, you'll find unfailing love, abounding love, love that lives and keeps on loving without expiration. God not only commands, but he wants to mentor you on how to love yourself and how to love other people.
What do you have to do? Take the mentorship class. It's virtual. It's completely free. It's convenient. It comes with challenges but you get to be mentored by the first and only award-winning lover. You're also not rushed.
When we talk about #SelfLove, it is a popular trend. But it doesn't end with saying or jumping on trends, it is more of who we are or work to become.
Play this scene: You've heard my gist. They say, I curse or whip myself after every single error I commit. Be it breaking a plate or speaking incorrect English, I have a punishment for every error. You won a dinner date with me and during the date, you've watched me clean every utensil repeatedly. You get the jug to fill your cup with water and lose control of a sneeze. Think about it and answer honestly… how will the movie end in your mind?
Shalom Shalom.
Bottom line: Learn to extend LOVE (kindness, patience, peace, generosity, humility, honour, truth) to YOURSELF FIRST so you can extend the same LOVE to your neighbours.
Little victories: Have you made progress with growing in love with you?
Reflection: How can you help yourself love others intentionally?
Affirmation:
I let God help me love those that are hard to love.
I receive opportunities to demonstrate God's mercy, grace and love to those around me.
Currently:
I am reading Loving through Listening on the YouVersion app. It's a guide on how listening is creating an environment in which another person feels heard, understood, known, cared for and loved.
https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/38223
I am reading about How to love those who hurt you on the Life Bible app. This enables you to learn and understand the purpose behind loving those who have hurt you or are difficult to love.
There's been a lot of changes in my schedule so I will try to send notes on Thursdays instead of Wednesdays. I apologize for the spontaneous update
Cultivating gratitude,
Tobiloba Wonders.