You Are What You Love

I personally have been studying Ephesians and Proverbs together. Not for any other reason than to make it a personal goal to live my life to higher standards to glorify and honor God. I felt that before I could bring more good things about in my life and reach a deeper level in my relationships, I needed to Honor my Father first (that being Father God, Author of this Universe).

As I studied these chapters in my Bible, I began to think about love. And I thought about how what we love, what we cherish, and what we place the most value on shows where our priorities in life are.

So here were some of the examples I saw from people as I studied:

People with the prize cars- A person whines over his mean and nasty wife leaving him, but gloats that he got to keep the car. What I learned: It's important to spend some time not just washing and waxing your prized possessions but designating some spouse time just for shining the woman you love. Like a car, if a woman is left out, she will lose her value, deteriorate, and not feel as meaningful to her husband. She requires maintenance ( time, attention, and affection), although I wouldn't recommend taking her in for a 10,000 mile inspection. You might not survive that!

If he spent some time on the love of his life, she would've remained the love of his life. Instead, he spent his time on the car and all of the projects, which is exactly what he has left to show for his love. He loves a car and still has it. (And ladies...this applies to designating some guy time as well. Don't just say you love him...SHOW HIM you love him. He's too macho to say he likes to be spoiled, but he does!)

People in search of money-The parent who wants to hit the jackpot (again) this time. What I learned: People who love money are always searching for it, and give up the treasure right in front of them. They always run to where the riches are supposedly found, and when 20 years later they still haven't found happiness or the jackpot they were chasing, they realize their school aged kiddos are now college bound. Those rich memories have slipped by. Don't chase after too many things, and don't miss what is sitting right in front of you. Riches and blessings are all around us if we'd only learn to love them as such.

People who think they've failed at life-The individual who is thinking that maybe they could have gone further, done more, or had more to show for their successes. What I learned: So you may not have the boat, dream car, mansion on a hilltop, or cushy retirement traveling the world. But, you are a reflection of what you have loved in your life-community, church, family, spouse, children, grandchildren, volunteering your time and talents, and a simple life that allowed you to contribute to what was important. Sometimes it's not about what we can get in our lives, but what we can contribute instead.

And that's a life to love with people to love.

It's not always about WHAT you love. It's about the PEOPLE you love.

Better get to lovin'!