Have you ever listened to someone bad-mouthing their significant other? Behind their back or even right in front of them? Have you ever bad-mouthed a loved one, or really anyone for that matter? I am guilty of this. Before I got my life on track, I allowed others to talk horribly about my family, and I am ashamed to say, I would join in. I’ve talked crap about exes and acquaintances. It always left me feeling horrible, and ashamed, but I didn’t put a stop to it. Taking a stand, and not joining in on the ridiculing of others is more difficult than not putting a stop to it. We don’t like being the odd man out. I preferred dishonoring others, and bringing shame upon myself, to standing out and doing the right thing. I was a coward. I showed my family that I didn’t love them by doing that.

I am disgusted with my past self, and I am no longer that person. I don’t mind standing out, by standing up for someone else. If someone says something negative about my loved ones, I put a stop to it. I raise them up, by saying kind and loving things. If my husband and I are angry at each other, I don’t take that anger outside of our relationship, it stays between us and we fix it. Showing love, by honoring my relationships, by honoring others is pretty easy once you learn about love, and once you deepen your relationship with God.

Imagine being filled with peace. Imagine going to bed at night, content. These were foreign to me before, and now they are my constant. I have left no room for my loved ones to doubt my love for them, and in turn I have no doubt of their love for me.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others