We Live to Love

I closed my eyes and sighed.

I wanted five minutes, just five minutes to myself when I didn’t have to answer questions, explain a math concept, clean a dirty pan, or wash another endless pile of laundry. I haven’t felt this physically and emotionally exhausted in years, probably since my kids were in diapers.

However, circumstances had us together 24/7, and I knew God was going to use this opportunity to teach me a lesson. Because being the loving Dad that He is, He loves to sprinkle lessons throughout my day.

I read a quote from Saint Joseph Cafasso, whose feast day is today, and loved it. He said, “We were born to love, we live to love, and we will die to love still more.”

I thought it would make a great print to hang on my wall and then I could almost see Our Lord smiling and shaking His head at me.

“What, Lord? You don’t like a pretty print? Or maybe it should be on a cute tee or coffee mug?”

He lovingly whispered to my heart, “Instead of looking at it and wearing it, why don’t you live it with your kids, and your husband, and that coworker you were complaining to Me about the other day?”

Sigh. “Well, that’s no fun, Lord!”

But then living the Christian life and walking through “the narrow gate” (Matthew 7:13), isn’t supposed to be easy and carefree. While there are certainly joyful and funny moments, it’s not easy to love like Jesus, and He knows that.

Thankfully, He doesn’t expect us to do it alone or to be perfect at it. He wants us to take one moment at a time, offering each little (or big) cross as it comes and whisper, “I do this for you, Lord” or “Help me, Lord” because it’s all those numerous little acts of love that unite our hearts to His.

“We live to love” is no longer a catchy quote, but a true way of life.

He loves to sprinkle lessons throughout my day. // @bobbi_rolClick to tweet