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1 John 4:19 (The Message)

"We, though, are going to love — love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first."


Loving the world is one thing, but loving the people we call friends is definitely something we must continually work on, too. We must try to learn new ways to love people and show the love through every and any opportunity that comes our way. Some days, love is in the air and showing the people we love they are special and that we couldn't live without them, is the easiest thing in the world. Other days even loving the people we love the most doesn't come naturally at all. Either way, we are called to love not just the downcast and the ugly, but love the ones that we call friends and best friends.

It's really good to learn how to love people well. We love because we have first been loved. Go out of your way for your friends. Tell them they are wonderful, talented, gifted and awesome. Make them look good, make them look better than you around others, and let them feel like there is no one else in the world besides them. Buy them coffees, raise your glass to them around the dinner table, go above and beyond for their birthdays, make the things that are important to them just as important to you as well. Your life will be enriched and the simple things about friendship will take on a beautiful brand new meaning. When you give of yourself to those you love, you will be happier. And if you have a hard time doing this (making your friends feel loved, look better than you, have the stuff that you want, happy and praying for their success in life) and making it not always about you, then you're insecure and seeing the world from your broken place.
And that is another issue.
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