I just recently saw an article on Facebook about a young woman in Texas who passed away in a tragic accident. Avoiding a paper and being the procrastinator that I am, I found the beautiful girl's Instagram account and proceeded to glance through her photos. I clicked on the link to see the photos that she's tagged in, and I was blown away by the number of incredibly kind and emotional pictures people have posted of her since her passing. While as a Christian I do believe her soul is still with them, surrounding them daily and enjoying a new life in an unimaginable place, I can't help but wonder if she knew how beloved she was while she was still on this earth. It brought back memories of my own friend's passing last summer and the similar thoughts I had then as well. When she passed, everyone reminisced on the beaming light that she was in all of our lives, but I can guarantee that she had no idea that so many people thought so highly of her.

I am going to start making more of an effort. An effort to make sure that the people around me know how dearly appreciated and beloved they are. It hurts me that in so many circumstances, it takes some type of tragic accident to remind us who and what we are thankful for. Jesus's main teachings were not those of condemnation, but rather the idea that we were put here to love (see verses below).

We are called to love at all times. Not just in sickness, but also in health. Not just in richer, but also in poorer. Love those who are hard to love and love those who love you. Don't just say you love, but show you love. Hold the door for the girl with her hands full. Tell your teacher you appreciate the effort they put into the class. Tell your roommate that you're thankful that they put up with your weird habits. Jesus loved until the moment he took his last breath; he didn't just love when it was convenient. Love even when it's hard. Love even if it rearranges your schedule. Love like Jesus loved and love so hard. Love to the point that even when tragedy strikes, your love will continue to be a beacon to those around you.

John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

1 John 3:16 - By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

Hebrews 13:1-3 - Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.

Luke 6:27-36 - But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.