Put on Love

With the flurry of activity in the backyard, it took awhile for me to notice.

We were hosting a baby shower over the weekend for dear family friends and their son.

Everyone had contributed to the day.

Decorating an amazing balloon arch.

Creating a multitude of desserts that were as pleasing to the eye as they were to taste.

Making a buffet of food to serve the many guests who came to celebrate this special occasion.

And on grill duty, my friend Chris.

Our families had met at church over 20 years ago.

We have celebrated many occasions together over the years.

Today was the addition of a new memory.

But when I looked down to the yard to see my friend taking a break from the heat, I saw something that I had missed earlier.

Chris was wearing my Dad’s apron.

Behind my sunglasses, I could feel my eyes tear up.

My sister had made this apron out of one of my Dad’s shirts for me after he passed away.

It hung just around the corner from the kitchen.

If my parents were still with us, they would have been in the backyard celebrating as well.

With all the activity, I almost missed it.

My friend had put on love.

That meant more than I could say.

In our day to day lives, that is what we are called to do as God’s people.

To above all else, put on love.

In a world full of distractions, we are called to reflect kindness, compassion and patience.

Maybe it is through a kind word.

Maybe it is through a simple gesture.

It can even be by putting on an apron.

Whatever it is for you friends, don’t forget to put on love today.

It’s your most important garment.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬