"Loving a person just the way they are, that's no small thing.  That's the whole thing."  -Loving a Person sung by Sara Groves

Ever since i heard this song, it's been playing in my head.  Isn't it the truth though?  Such a simple phrase: "loving a person just the way they are."   But, oh, what a thing to be mastered!

And, its true, it is the WHOLE THING.  What would be different if only we loved each other just the way we are.  It's so relieving to think of that kind of love towards myself. To know I am loved JUST the way i am, no changes, no earning it, no losing it.  It's like a huge load just fell off my back. 

Would this be an easy thing?  Obviously, no.  I am fully aware of my many qualities, actions, and just plain old annoyances that make me the least easy to love person.  In the words of Sara Groves, "loving me just the way i am.  that's no small thing....takes some time, takes some."  Boy, would it take some time?!  But, the interesting thing is that i've found with friendships and relationships of any kind, it is easier to "love someone the way they are" in the beginning and as the friendship grows and  you actually get to know the real person, you don't exactly love them just the way they are.  In fact, many friendships end just by the mere discovering of who someone really is. 

But, as Sara says, "loving a person just the way they. It takes some time".  No, real love doesn't fade when the heat is on, it only grows deeper, richer, more secure with every offense and reconciliation.  With every mistake, both those of omission and those of out-right wickedness.

Perhaps this is why family relations are often the hardest.  You know most about someone you've known since infancy; therefore, there is so much MORE to have to learn to love.  But, loving a person just the way they are....that's the whole thing.  If it's not there, it's not and that is the stopping point.  You really cannot move any farther in any relationship without this key ingredient.    And, it can't be half-hearted.  You can't just ignore or de-emphasize the things you don't like about someone...choose to stop the conversation when that 'not so appealing' topic comes up.  Sure, there is wisdom in not pushing an issue you disagree on, but if you can't look at that character quality or life choice boldly in the face withouth blinking, looking down, or just avoiding it, you cannot, under any figment of your imagination begin to love someone just as they are. And, like I said, it's the key.

"If we go looking for offense, we're gonna find it.  If we go looking for real love, we're gonna find it"

Real love.  What a glory. Some never find it in earthly relations.   Few find it more than once or twice.  All crave it in their heart of hearts.  The Father loves us this way, but it is so rarely seen in human relations. Though, He must desire it for us.  I know He defined it for us.  It is what love is.  And, oh, what we miss when we can't look past our own pride, judgements, and records of wrongs. 

"Hold on to me and I'll hold on to you."...."The beauty of seeing things through...."

There is such beauty in this, in connections with others that have truly seen things through. Where there is no fear of past wrongs or future wrongs, since everything was, can and is loved through.

Lord, help me to love others just the way they are.