There isn’t time to love absolutely everyone, to change the whole wide world.
There are so many places to volunteer, so many causes to champion, so many people who need a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear or a five dollar bill.
I wish with all my heart that I could be on a million different non-profit boards, that I could volunteer at the food bank and the soup kitchen every single week, that I could send over hugs and cupcakes to every mom in my city.
But you know what? “Jesus said love one another. He didn’t say love the whole world.” That is a quote from Mother Teresa and she was a person who understood compassion deeply. I don’t think she meant that God doesn’t want us to love the whole world (He does), but I think she was bringing it down to the strategy level…telling us HOW to love the world. One person at a time.
She also said, “Love begins by taking care of the closest ones – the ones at home.” I think she said that because it takes a lot of work and sacrifice to extend love and grace to your spouse and your kids every day. And yet…that is the most important thing. Love begins at home…and then expands further to envelope other people in our circle of influence.
I say that I want to change the world a lot…and I mean it. I have grand dreams for doing big, big things. But, in my heart of hearts, I know that it has to start right here – in my every day. With my closest ones.
Yes, you start by loving those close to you but make sure you do something nice to someone everyday. I believe the quality of our life is not measured by our success or our way of life but by how many life we have touched. The possibility of making a difference in someone’s life is the true essence of love.
So true! I feel like what I can do for my family will make more of a difference than anything I can do outside me home. With all the moving that I have done in the past 5 years, family is the only constant I have had. Love, charity, service, and compassion start in the home. And really our society is only as good as the families that live in it. It that sense I am more than willing to sacrifice to be a SAHM for the benefit of my son and our family.
Agreed. As much as I’d love to help the kids in Haiti or rescure a poor starving kid from Guatemala, the truth is that my concentration is at home. I can only do those other things when i’m satisfied I’ve done everything here first. And, in terms of simply loving everyone, you’re right about that too.
So true! It can be overwhelming to think about all of the needs in the world. At the same time, it’s easy to get so caught up in the needs around us that we forget about those right at home.
Love definitely begins at home. Our first job is definitely raising respectful caring citizens.
Although we don’t have time to do a lot. Little things in the community go along way. Even if it’s just teaching your kids to be caring and helpful to others.
If all parents could do this, our world would be so much different.
I totally agree with you!
Cindi
I very much agree with this post! Nicely written.
Great post Stephanie! You are changing the world by being the best mom you can be to those two girls. They see your heart each and every day and they do pay attention. And, you look AMAZING in that photo!
Love does begin at home. It is our mission in our family to love, love, love. Love with our words and love with our actions. When we love others, maybe then they we be moved to love more.
Steph, you are changing the world. Your posts are thought provoking and I don’t know about your other readers, but you definitely “light the fire” inside me!
Oh, my, Stephanie, that is so well said. And, today I definitely needed to read just that. Thank you. :)
I think this is one of my favorite posts of yours now. :) My husband and I both have hearts to see the world changed (which is why we do what we do), but you are right it has to start at home. At this point in my life the greatest impact I will have on the world is by loving those closest to me…and from there it can only grow and spread.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart!
I love the quote from Mother Theresa – love one another, so true – starting at home loving one another is actually a pretty big step towards loving the whole world and making positive change happen in our world. If I can teach my children to love and don’t accomplish anything else noteworthy in my whole life I’ll feel like I’ve accomplished the most important thing.
I know it has nothing to do with the topic of this post, but I’m LOVING those sunglasses. :-)