Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.

I am timid and I am oversensitive

I am a lioness

I am tired and defensive

You take me in your arms

And I fall into you

I have insecurities

You show me I am beautiful

While she was embarrassed to stumble through the National Anthem on Super Bowl Sunday Christina Aguilera is an amazing vocalist. In her song “I Am” she explains her vulnerable weaknesses. Continuing:

Love me or leave me

Just take it or leave it

It’s not that I’m needy

Just need you to see me

Take me, free me, see through to the core of me

Take me, free me, there will be no more pretending

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
[Romans 12:9-10, NLT]

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.
Hate what is wrong.
Hold tightly to what is good.
Love each other with genuine affection
Take delight in honoring each other

How Can We Honor Each Other More?

Build up rather than tear down.

Choose to compliment rather than complain. [Hint – Be specific when you compliment.]

Treat weaknesses as an opportunity to strengthen.  When we’re feel too busy to talk we “squeak” as we walked by one another just like when waited tables together.  When we feel anxious attending parties with plenty of strangers we set deadlines to leave.
When we feel vulnerable we don’t dig up the past it usually ignites even bigger and more painful arguments.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.