Love One Another

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours. This year, I am celebrating the 40th anniversary of my first “Be Mine” exchange with my wife, Melanie. It took 8 years after our first Valentine’s Day for us to enter the bonds of marriage, but I still remember that girl that so captured my heart in 1980 and the excitement I felt to express, “I Love You”.

At 15, I hadn’t a clue what that meant by the way!! Can I get an amen?  And there are times that I still wonder if I fully understand it.

Truth is, while I remain hopeful that each of you had someone in your life to exchange Happy Valentine’s Day greetings on Feb 14th, I know that didn’t happen for so many in our community. And for those who didn’t, Valentine’s Day can be particularly painful. Perhaps they have drawn the conclusion that they are unlovely and unlovable.

I would suggest that most of our expressions of love are tied to a relational attachment. Spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend. Or perhaps they are tied to an affinity we have with them. Family connection, social activities, political or religious alignment, or agreed upon behaviors. But what if our love flowed from another source? What if it was more universally expressed that that?

This is what happens among many children in our community at this time of year and perhaps we could learn something from them. Many kids take valentines to school today and give to everyone in the class. I remember doing this. Sharing valentines with everyone. My best friend and the girl that kicked my shins on the playground. My desk mate and the boy I couldn’t hardly be around because he smelled so bad. They all got valentines and received small expressions of love.

I remember my mother telling me, as I fought her over delivering valentines to everyone, “How would you like to be treated?” Would you like to be left out? She was basically setting my mind right by teaching me an application of what is commonly known as the Golden Rule. ‘Do unto others what you would have them do unto you!”

Did you know that virtually every world religion has a version of the Golden Rule? Here are just a few.

Christianity:        So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Buddhism:           Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.

Islam:                    No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.

Judaism:              What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.

I am reminded today of Jesus’ words where He said to His disciples, “A new command I give you, love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”. In another place He says, “You have heard it said to love your friends and hate your enemies, but I say Love your enemies”. God is a “no barrier lover” of everyone.

We know that the law of love is not limited to one day in the middle of February. Try that in your marriage. Perhaps like children who share valentines with the whole class, we can love everyone we come across, 365 days a year and that could become the change this world so desperately needs.