How Do I Love EVERYONE?

Have you ever been in a hurry in busy traffic and someone had the nerve to cut you off and force you to slam on your breaks and slow your speed?  Have you ever done something nice for someone and instead of getting a "thank you" you get a nasty unappreciative remark?  Or have you ever had someone make a promise to you but never follow through on it? 
I don't know about you but I've had a lot of these things happen to me and I regretfully have to say that I have gotten upset over these things.  As a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I try my best to represent Jesus Christ, but some days it is hard.  One of the most challenging but most rewarding attribute of Christ I've been working to acquire is love.  Jesus Christ not only asked us, but commanded us to love one another. 

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." - John 13:34

So how is that we can follow this commandment when sometimes it seems so difficult?   How can we follow this when we get so irritated at people's actions?  First we must first recognize why it is that we are asked to emulate Christ and love everyone.  So why did Christ ask us to love one another?  It is because we are all sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.  God wants His children to learn respect for each other.  Just as any parent wants their children to love one another, God too wants His children to love each other.  He knows that for us to be the happiest we cannot have resentment; we must have love.
After we gain a testimony that we are all Children of God and see everyone as a child of God, then we must act accordingly.  Sometimes it is very hard to forgive others and find love in them.  One thing that has really helped me to find love in
everyone is to pray for the ability to find love in everyone.  We are taught to "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love"  Prayer really does work.  I personally know that God does listen to our prayers and will answer them.  Praying for love and patiently waiting for God to help us will pay off.
We must make sure to have patience when trying to love everyone.  For me I am still working on loving everyone.  If you are like me, then it takes some patience mastering this quality.  If we mess up we shouldn't get discouraged.  We must quickly repent and try again.  Having patience with ourselves is the key to forming lasting qualities. 
Loving people when they don't love me hasn't been the easiest.  One thing that has helped me to love those who don't love me comes from my favorite saying "Fake it 'till you make it."  I know this expression is overused but it is my favorite.  Sometimes I just have to act like I love someone until I actually do love them.  I know it's probably not the best words of advice but it has really helped me.  Serving a mission, I have had a lot of people say some rude things to me but I just put on a smile and tell them I love them. It's hard at first but after a few times it becomes fun and enjoyable and after a while I really do begin to love those people.  I know it sounds weird but it works!  When someone does something frustrating, shrug it off and show love toward them.
My favorite way of finding love in people is by serving them.  Serving other is the greatest way to fall in love with someone.  I have never once stepped away after serving someone and not felt happy.  I always come to find a true love for the people I help.  If you ever see a way you can serve someone, make sure and do it.  You will never regret it and will always find love for those you help.
Jesus Christ really has asked us to love one another.  When someone cuts us off, says something rude to us, or brakes a promise, we need to remember that nothing good will come from hate and resentment.  If we love all people, we will become the happiest.  Remember that we can't change the way that others act but we can change our reactions their actions.   Reacting with love will make the greatest impact. Lets make it a goal and try to find more love in people every day.  I know that loving one another is the greatest way we can show love to our God. 

Practicing Patience

 

Growing up I’ve come across a lot of people who I admire and look up to.  One of my biggest role models is my dad.  Why do I say my dad is one who I admire?  Well, that is simple.  He had to suffer through raising me.  When I was younger and still to this day am a person who can’t just play video games or watch television for hours on end.  I have always had to be doing something and somehow it seemed doing something would lead to breaking something. 
         I remember days where I would go out and try to build something outside.  Usually I would get started and my short attention would fly somewhere else.   Then the next day my dad would go fire up the lawn mower and mow away.  Then without fail he would accidently run over my half-done project and half of his tools that were buried by the tall grass.  Never did my dad yell or scream at me.  He would simply take a deep breath and politely ask me to make sure and put the tools away the next time. 
         Another day I peeled out of a gravel parking lot, flipped up some rocks, and shot out the windows of my friend’s car that was parked behind me.  I remember calling my dad, trying to make light of the situation but expecting a stern punishment, but all I got was “Well we better go get some new windows for you friend.”  He never yelled or punished me.  All he showed was PATIENCE. 
When I was in the hospital, suffering through pneumonia and not knowing how everything was going to end, I remember my dad taking time off work to stay days and nights with me.  For nights he would sleep restlessly next to me in a chair near my bed making sure I was in good care and never alone.  Although he was missing meetings and time at work, he never got upset or argued about the situation.  He PATIENTLY waited until I was better.
         The principle my dad has so clearly and precisely taught me is PATIENCE.  To me PATIENCE is being able to calmly and open-mindedly accept what has happened.   It is so important to us to have happiness.  Even Paul in the New Testament teaches how important it is.  In 1^st Corinthians Chapter 13 he lists the attributes of charity and states their unfathomable importance.  Four of the verses distinctly and directly talk of PATEINCE.  It states “Charity suffereth long… is not easily provoked… beareth all things… endureth all things.” 
The reason I love learning about PATIENCE so much is because I horrible at it.  Although I have terrible PATIENCE, I’m trying to change.  The examples of PATIENCE give me hope that someday I can emulate those qualities as well.   In this world IMPATIENCE is the norm.  We see it every day.  People honking in backed up traffic, yelling at slow computers, and getting upset over little things.  It does not bring any happiness and does not do any good. 
         Jesus Christ said to us come follow me.  If there’s any one who’s a perfect example of PATEINCE it’s Christ.  He has gone through it all and endured it well.  We need to follow his example and be more PATIENT.    I know it’s hard to grasp the concept of PATIENCE when our tempers are flared and anxiety is creeping in but it’s so important. Take it from me who knows all about IMPATIENCE.   It will not fix anything or make things go away faster.  In fact, it does the opposite.  Look those who are PATIENT and do your best to follow them.   Make sure and not get discourage.   It takes time to develop but it will come.  Pray with all energy of heart to find PATIENCE.  I will bring peace. 
         I am grateful for a great example of PATIENCE I have seen in my father.  I am still trying to be more PATEINT.  I know how happy we can be if we can develop it.   It is truly something magnificent and something that will bring us success and happiness in life.   Just remember obtaining PATIENCE takes PATIENCE.