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Sometimes embarrassing, sometimes sweet to hear, the words “I love you” stir up different emotions in people. Depending on the ages of the speaker and listener, these three little words evoke pleasure or anxiety.

Love begins with the author of life. It begins with God. “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place.” (Psalm 139:13-16).

God loves us so much that He personally formed each of us in our mother’s womb.

He numbers every hair on our heads, knows every day of our lives. He planted skills and talents in our being. He has a unique plan for each of us. Is this news to you? This sure makes us humble, doesn’t it? This tells us that our Father cares so much that He wants a personal relationship with each one of us.

How many friends do you have?

But love doesn’t stop there. Jesus commanded that we love one another. Gulp!

“All of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.” (1Peter 3:8). We’re to support each other so completely that each person feels safe inside our group. (1John 4:18). This safety means we can show our humanity in the open; our joy, our ups and downs, our victories, defeats and our pain.

God challenges us to create a Christ-community where we love like our lives depend on it. (1Peter 1:22). We’re to give each other the same uncommon safety Christ gives us—to be sad, messed up, confused and yet loved.

We’re to weep together, celebrate together, and care for each other equally. (1Corinthians 12:25-26). Can you say that you love your friends unconditionally?

Take Home Nugget
We show tender hearts when we allow each other to:

Have a bad day.
Be Tired.
Admit mistakes.
Confess being scared.
Grieve a loss.
Doubt, be confused, cry.

We exhibit humility when we can:

Be happy when another gets a great new bike.
Be cool when someone has more money.
Celebrate when someone wins the starting place on our sports team.
Admire how someone looks in a new outfit.
Shout “Hallelujah” because God’s presence in your life makes you feel blessed.
It’s OK for these things to happen because our joy is sincere for another’s blessings. Life becomes a celebration, shared by all.