Love one another

"A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35

I think this command may be the most difficult.  Jesus said to love one another.  Not such a big deal if he hadn't said the second part.  As I have love you, so you  must love one another.  Therein lies the kicker.
In the study of John, I learned how Jesus loved his disciples, family, friends, enemies and strangers.  I a m sure that I have not loved the way Jesus loved. 

I picked up a copy of Becoming a Woman Who loves by Cynthia Heald this week at the bookstore.  It practically jumped off the shelf into my hands.  When I saw it, I knew it was just what I had been looking for to help move me toward loving like Jesus.

I remember those small statues with Love is... printed on them.  Love is...never having to say your sorry, (a line in a movie with which I disagree).  Love is wet puppy kisses, love is a warm chocolate chip cookie.  All of these love is messages are sweet and evoke feelings of warmth, but they don't give instructions on how to love as Jesus loved.  Paul in his letter to the Corinthians gave the people of Corinth some words about love that are helpful to me.  Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes always perseveres.  Love never fails.

Using this book by Cynthia Heald, I will be studying love this summer.