a heart to love

It’s like every night a wonderful miracle happens. Last night it was my friend, tonight, it's my brother's friend. 

For so long, I’ve been praying to God to help me love the people around me, not only people i enjoy and like, not only people i know and people im familiar with but people i don’t know, people who hurt me, people i don't get a long with, people who im angry with, who don’t like me, etc. today, God showed me that He is able. 

what God showed me today is that every person has a story to tell.
they have their own problems they struggle with. Each person goes through different things, and we cannot judge them because we don’t know it, we don’t know them. Yes, what people go through does not justify sin, but it explains it, and it makes us understand, and it allows us to help them.

a few minutes ago, i mustered up the courage to talk to a girl I’ve been upset with because of what has been happening, but instead of throwing at her reasons why i am so mad at her, i opened up the conversation by saying that i have no right to judge, and i am here to listen to her explanation because i don't know her. i told her that i want to befriend her, and i want to understand her and hear her out. Because of the overflowing love God is giving me, i was able to give that love to someone else, and in the end, i made myself a new friend. i will keep praying for this relationship. i want to be her friend. i want to be her older sister. i want to love her and comfort her and understand her and listen to her. 

i find it so amazing that things like this happen. 3 years ago, i would've just called her names. i would've just tried telling all the people i know how she's this and that, but God’s Holy Spirit is at work in me. The only reason why i am able to love is because of Him. I CANT DO THIS ON MY OWN. IT IS GOD THAT PATTERNS MY HEART WITH HIS. 

Tonight was the first time i talked to that girl, and now i consider her my friend. And i have chosen to love her. Cause love is not a matter of feelings, its a choice. 

Thank You Lord for working through me. Thank you for your overflowing love and kindness that I can share with others. Continue to use me for your greater glory. Give me the understanding and the strength to serve others. I love You so much, God. Without You, where would i be? Without You, who would i be?