Loving People In Spite Of Them, Not Because Of Them!

Before the movie "Finding Nemo", came out Steve Jobs the founder of the Apple Computer company spent millions of dollars promoting it. Before a major push on merchandise Nike will sign a multi- million dollar contract with some sports star. Sometime soon you will see a major player in the clothing industry hire a celebrity to promote their product before the holiday rush. These companies think they have it figured out. How do they attract you to the product or service they are selling? The packaging!!

Millions of dollars are spent on researching and packaging many products and services even before they hit the shelves. If they can entice you enough, then they have a better chance to hook you into owning it. Many of us get the product home and when we open it up and it doesn't match the expectations the outside of the box conveyed to us. Then in a short period of time we lose our interest become disappointed and put it on a shelf only to go try and find another to fore fill our desires.

Let's say you have a child and they disobey you. Do you put them on a shelf and go have another or borrow one from the neighbor. No. You still value them, accept them and love them. You accept them in spite of their behavior and actions at the time. But why don't we take that same type of thinking with adults we know? It doesn't matter; friends, dating or married many times we love the other person because of what they originally brought to the relationship (the packaging, the hype). However, once we get to know that person we realize that they have some things that don't line up with our expectations of them or remind us of a past relationship that went sour. They don't fit in our packaged box anymore. We even try to mold them to fit, and when they don't we put them on an emotional shelf with an expiration date. In the beginning we loved to be around the other person more and were attracted to them because of who there were not in spite of who they are.

Jesus Christ is a great example to follow. Did Jesus die for us and loves us because of who we are? No! He died for us and continues to love us in spite of who we are. Even though we may disobey him or put him second best he still loves us. Even though at times we do not live up to his expectations, he realizes each one of us has things in our lives we could be better at. He knows we may continue to sin (Romans: 3:23) but he's not going to put us up on a shelf and find another one to love. He will continue to nuture, love and lead us closer to him. He sticks with us no matter what that is true love.

Let's all love our friends and close companions not because of what they bring to the table of life or what they can do for us, but love them in spite of their areas that don't line up with our expectations. Don't take a chance and lose a close friend, or even mate because they didn't fit into your expectation box. Accept them, value them, and Love them in spite of it all, you may just find a diamond in the ruff. Jesus did!

Greg Ryan is a best selling author of the Changing from the INSIDE OUT series. A powerful five step plan to better your life, get healthier, and have more energy! For FREE mini Course click here! http://www.resolutions.bz

---

The End of Guilt

What is the purpose of guilt?Well, let's look at it.Some... Read More

Are You a Microwave or Crock Pot?

In our fast paced society we often want everything done... Read More

Authentic Prayers

Do you go to God seeking His will for your... Read More

Afraid Of Reading The Bible? I Was!

A magnificent source of life insurance and it's FREE. You... Read More

You Are Spirit Powered (Moving to Transformation)

A spiritual event is what happens in every moment of... Read More

Why Dont I Get What I Want?

The smart 'spiritual' answer is 'you always get what you... Read More

Enthusiam And The Spirit

In this article, I would like deal with one specific... Read More

My Experience with Spiritual Healing

Healing is a special gift that any human being can... Read More

Recognizing Self

I come face to face with self whenever you come... Read More

Small Things

When my dad was nearing the end of his life... Read More

The Slippery Halls of Perspective.

As we walk these halls of Life viewing the world... Read More

GOD Loves Us All

God, what a wonderful spirit. He, is our ever present... Read More

Slow Leak

In God's world, everything can be used as an anology... Read More

New Century; Same Old Story

In His graciousness, God has blessed us to enter a... Read More

Candle Burning to Petition the Female Saints

Here they are, our Ladies of Mercy and Divine Benevolence.... Read More

How Its Always Now

How do we feel the fullness of life itself?We have... Read More

Living The Lords Prayer

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as... Read More

The Tess Syndrome

There's a lot of talk about angels these days. They're... Read More

Indian Knowledge and Frauds

Iktomi:Another and somewhat longer term correspondent of mine is a... Read More

Our Virtual Reality Reality

In earlier articles entitled "We Are Not Our Personalities", "Eliminating... Read More

Coming Home

I find myself floating on a cloud as heavenly music... Read More

Love vs. Fear - Volume 18

Breaking with tradition, today's article comes from the 9-23-04 edition... Read More

A Mothers Battle

The tongue is such a tiny little organ. Yet, it... Read More

Understanding the Gospel of Matthew and Why it Matters - Part 2

Matthew 1:1-17The Genealogy of Jesus Christ1 The book of the... Read More

What Is A Power Song and Where Do I Get One?

All Shamans have several power songs because the vibration of... Read More

Attachment - Bondage or Moha - Their Role in Gaining Enlightenment

Attachment... Bondage... Moha... state as we may but the meaning... Read More

Wear the Message of Grace: A Work Weeks Devotions

As the artist and designer for Ashbach Designs, I want... Read More

I Think Ill Just Go Fishin

I said something last week I haven't said in years.... Read More

Are You Facing Some Challenges?

Are you facing some challenges in your life right now?... Read More

Connect with Spirit

Spirit - All Around Us, All of Us, Every One... Read More

Petitioning for Your Needs

Human beings are blessed with a unique gift: the gift... Read More

What Animal Communicators Do

Many people are awakening today to the idea that the... Read More

Simple

It was my intention to explain the word "simple," and... Read More