What does love look like?
I feel like social media can be both a blessing and a curse depending on what rabbit hole you fall down in. Over the last few months it had brought me sorrow, anger, anxiety, laughter, connection, and distance – sometimes all at once. But it has also shown me in so many ways examples of what love looks like.
I see what love looks like when I read posts by friends caring for their children – whether it is everyday care or the extraordinary care of a child facing a life-threatening illness.
I see what love looks like when I read the stories of others’ lives (stories I know are often difficult to share) and see the responses of people who are really listening, absorbing, learning, and letting themselves be profoundly changed.
I see what love looks like when graphic artists create works that speak all the words we want to say when we can’t find the right combination to express what we are feeling.
I see what love looks like in images of people (who can wear masks) wearing masks to promote and encourage us to live not only for ourselves.
In a time when those we love are more remote than ever, it helps me to know I can find so many examples of what love looks like on a tiny screen.
And if I am willing, I can let it help me recognize even more what it can look like right here at home. And let it change me in how I demonstrate that love to my family.
My prayer this morning is that we can be greeted today with signs of what love looks like – especially signs that challenge us to see love in a new way and love better ourselves.
“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”⠀- St. Augustine
