It’s In The Little Things

During the past two weeks people from all over the world have come together to mourn the deaths of John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, and Ara Zobayan. Although many of us do not know them personally, we can understand the pain that their families and loved ones are feeling. For countless others, the wounds from their own personal losses haven’t fully healed yet and when hearing the news on January 26th, it was as if their scabs were ripped off without mercy. In spite of these overwhelming emotions, this horrific tragedy has caused us to look at life from a new perspective. During my moment of solitude and reflection, my heart and mind circled around these thoughts:

1. Today isn’t promised, for ANYONE!

2. Our physical bodies will not live forever, even if we feel invincible.

3. Time is the only true currency we have, for it is the one thing we cannot get back no matter how hard we try.

4. Love [unselfish concern for others] is in the little things. Love is the key!

So how are we to move forward ? How are we to continue this life knowing that the breath in our lungs can be taken at any moment? How do we put one foot in front of the other without fear of losing our footing? How do we maximize our time in this realm? These were the questions that I had. I’m certain I’ve asked these same questions before, but I desperately needed to know the answers now. As I watched various tributes, memorials, and interviews honoring the victims, there was one common theme that seemed to connect them all:

Love

Love. I know it sounds extremely cliché, but it is the one choice that we can make in this life that matters most. Love is the greatest gift we can give to one another.

“And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:13‬ ‭AMP‬‬ Love was so important to Jesus that he intentionally repeated this authoritative order to his disciples before his departure from them:

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you...This I command: Love each other” John 15:12 & 17 (NLT)

Love is who He is!

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 (NKJV)

Love can be expressed in a plethora of ways. However, in a culture where love isn’t love unless its sweetness is hidden away in a red heart shaped box and tied to a plush animal, it is easy to lose sight of what it means to truly love. I believe it is important to remember that our small daily actions are just as, if not more, significant as our big gestures.

Love is the smile you get from other students on campus that remind you that you belong there.

Love is the mutual head nod that you and an unknown brother give one another as you both walk past each other on the street.

Love is the compliment you give to the woman sitting in front of you, instead of seeing her as your competition.

Love is staying up late to prepare lessons that will help your struggling students understand math word problems.

Love is extending grace to that challenging child who seems like the most difficult to love.

Love is listening actively to another, even if their story isn’t amusing or does not affect you in any way.

Love is the friend that prays and cries with you in your darkest moments.

Love is being welcomed with big hugs when you walk through the door after a long day of work.

Love is growing up with the balance of discipline and encouragement from your parents.

Love is staying up late with a sick child, even though you have to be at work early the next day.

Love is the gentle rub on your back while you fiercely hold onto the toilet bowl vomiting last night's dinner.

Love is knowing that even when I mess up and make you mad, you still love me and won’t leave.

Love is helping your niece get over her fear of bugs, by catching lightning bugs on a warm August night. Love is the auntie and uncle who make sure that they’re at every football game, concert, award ceremony, and graduation embarrassingly cheering you on. [You don't admit it, but low key you love it!] Love is your grandmother’s melodious humming as she prepares Sunday dinner. Love is the memories that we create: playing at the park, snuggled up on the couch for movie night, or the fierce game of spades/ dominoes/ uno at the annual family BBQ.

Love is just being there and not having to say anything at all, because your presence is enough. Love is all of this and so much more.

Love is in the little things.

True love is other centered and should not be dependent on the list of conditions we've created throughout the years. As we approach Valentine’s Day, I pray that we all would make the choice to share our love unconditionally with others beyond February 14th. The best way we can honor God and the memories of those who have transitioned is to love with everything we have. May the unconditional, reckless, and unbounded love of our Papa in heaven continue to live inside of you & cover you today and for years to come.

with joy,

Raquel