What Does Love Look Like?

Today has been a good day but one of a lot of thoughts and prayers. It seems like so much is going on right now with everyone around me. If I would let it, it could become overwhelming. I look around me and I see certain things happening to people that I would have never thought something would have happened that is so tragic.... I am a people watcher so I notice things easily and try to understand everything, sometimes its a good thing to be able to see through people to their heart and sometimes its not so good. But as traumatic things are occurring around me, what really bothers me sometimes is the Love expression through some people. I wonder if they really know what Love really is? We are called to love people through their hurt and through their pain and not simply knock them down while they are already down and out and possibly in the darkest moment of their life. We are called to love and minister DURING the hurt but not just during.. before and after as well. I am not just talking to you, I am also talking to myself when I say this... Because I, like everyone else, have been hurt in different ways. I know how easy it is to just ignore the problem or try to pretend that it is not there in hopes that it will simply fade away.. Ignorance of our problems will never get us to our desired destination. No one is perfect just in case we sometimes think they should be. All of us have fallen short and all of us miss the mark. I am not saying this is an excuse but we are not and never will be perfect. I look around and I see people that think they are so much better than someone else that has simply missed it and it bothers me because I view it like this.... If we think we are better than someone who has messed up and turn our backs on them or simply treat them different... What if God treated us exactly the way we treat others... Wow that is a frightening thought. We mess up all the time but HE still loves us and his grace and mercy covers our every sin if we come to him with it, but so many time we run from exactly what we are needing to run too. He simply wants to wrap us in his arms and tell us how much he loves us. HIS love was shown when he was stretched out for you, me, and everyone else we may come in contact with and those that we may never see. Our love is to be with arms wide open and an open heart ready to help those around us that are hurting... not with a turned back. We are not called to turn our back but to run straight to HIM and straight to those that he loves and he loves ALL of humanity. His love goes further than our minds and hearts it is the definition of who he is. He is Loves definition. This is how I know what love is. We are made to Love through it all and in all things. He makes all things work together for our good, it may not be the road he meant for us to travel but HIS plan is always in motion and everything WILL work out for our good from a loving father who never gives up on us.