Happy Leap Day! Today is the last day of my favorite month 🙁. February is my favorite month because it’s the month of my favorite holiday, Valentine’s Day-the love holiday. The days leading up to Valentine’s Day love is all around at the grocery store, malls, and commercials. It cannot be ignored no matter how anti-Valentine’s Day one may be. But as I observed all the commercialization of this holiday, I began to wonder if true love was really being shown. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-5, 7-8‬ ‭NIV 

Love is also forgiving. This month has taught me of the forgiving power of love. I’m honored to have a front row seat watching my parents show forgiving love. To see them selflessly give of their time, money, and resources to those who take it for granted, or turn against them, but they continuously love. How do you do that? My response to them sometimes, no honestly, most of the time, is to stop showing love to those who don’t appreciate it. But each time they tell me, you can’t treat people how they treat you. Their position is constantly an example to me to show love. I was recently faced with a situation where I didn’t want to show love for my own selfish reasons. I was quickly reminded of a situation where I saw my mom show love to someone who did everything to but show love to her. If she could show love in that instance, my little situation was nothing to overcome. A relationship that was pretty much dead, was brought back to life by caring for it with love. 

Love is an action. You can’t just talk about it, you have to do it and show it, even when you don’t want to. You will feel a relief knowing that love stood up and all the other foolishness sat down. Love is sometimes being the bigger person, even when you don’t feel like it. 2016 is offering an extra day to show love. Let love stand up in your family, at your workplace, with your friends, and even strangers. Continue to show true love throughout the year, and not just the month of the February. On December 31, 2016, I want to be able to say love stood up in me this year!