Give Your Love Away

It’s hard to give your love away sometimes.

Why?

Because other people can often take your love for granted. It we’re not careful — love hoards. It can be easy to want it all to yourself. Maybe you don’t say it out loud — you’re your actions speak louder.

If I had to take a guess, that might be why Jesus’ number one and two commandments are about love.

Love is supposed to be hard. Unfortunately in this world, love doesn’t come naturally. When we feel empty, dry, and blah — our comfort can be found in the scriptures.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:9-12, NIV84)

Recently, I’ve struggled with love. There are times when I just don’t want to give my love away anymore. It feels like this: How many times can I love on someone and never receive anything back?

As a devotional writer, author, and speaker, God has given me a love for others. I enjoy cranking out support and hope for those who are broken. So when I find myself holding on my closely to His love instead of letting go and letting God love through me, I grow stingy. Dry. Cracked.

Who am I to tell God that He can’t love through me? Shouldn’t He automatically refill me when I come up empty?

Yes and no.

His love never fails.

I fail constantly.

It seems like a couple times a year I struggle with how to give my love away. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I decided to do something about it. A few weeks ago, I went up for prayer at church after a Sunday morning service.

The most amazing thing happened.

I found love again.

A father, his daughter, and her friends were standing up at the altar ready to pray. I told them of my struggle and how I felt unlovable. As they prayed over me I felt such an overwhelming sense of love come back to me.

I knew it was God.

They told me they felt like God had given me a special gift of love. I was supposed to give my love away — not hoard it. They told me every time God put someone on my heart, I was supposed to act on it. I could trust God to fill me up afterwards because He was the one who gave me this gift.

This gift of love got me thinking. There’s no way I could be the only one. The fruit of the spirit is starts with — guess — love!

I didn’t find out until later that she was only nine years old. Her father told me the night before he got this picture of a young woman at the prom who felt unlovable. Although she had a date, she felt like he picked her out of pity. Every dance and kind gesture made her feel like she was obligation. That’s when the father told me God’s love toward me could never be an obligation.

I couldn’t help but cry.

God loves us to pieces. He enjoys spending time with us. Every dance and kind gesture from God is because He loves us.

I wonder if there are other women out there who feel unlovable. Are you tired dry, cracked, and have a bleeding heart?

Be encouraged.

God’s love is already on the way to you.

Don’t be afraid.

He has the power to fill you full to overflowing. He loves you so you can love others more.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:15-18, NIV84)

Today, let’s choose to give love away because He loved us first!