Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. – (1 John 4:11, NIV)
That is how much God loved us, dear friends! So we also must love each other. – (1 John 4:11, ERV)
My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. – (1 John 4:11, MSG)
So far, this weekend has been exactly what Mark and I both needed. It is the first weekend in months that we have not had plans nor an agenda. Yesterday turned into a wonderful day of quality time catching up with friends. After my love and I took care of some errand and returned home, I was able to escape and get mani/pedis with my best friend. Between us, our work schedules have kept us from spending the time together that we would most enjoy, so an afternoon together was a great way to catch up. In the evening, Mark and I met up with one of my dearest friends from childhood (our bonus sister), along with her husband and son, and spent a wonderful evening together, sharing life and enjoying each other’s company. The love that God gives us to love one another was made evident throughout the day in each interaction. His love runs deep, and it is not limited by how often we see one another. His goodness and grace are abundant, and relationships long ago established, remain full of love by His grace. May we ever recognize the depth of love that God has for us, and extend the same to those with whom we interact.
May the love of God, 
Move our hearts and minds;
To love as we’re loved,
With grace, choose be kind.
For each time we choose,
To love like the Lord;
His heart is made known,
As good is outpoured.
So, let us choose love,
Just as God loves us;
Grace to each other,
Through hope we express.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the depth and breadth of Your love that envelops us and empowers us to love. Thank You for the gift of friendships that exemplify the greatness of Your grace and goodness of Your love. Thank You that You place Your love for people within us. Forgive us for the times that we have chosen not to extend all that You have given us to others. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would love those around us in the same way that we are loved by You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we receive the incredible love that You give so that we can turn and extend the same to those around us. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. – Matthew 22:39
Revelations In Writing 