This new art print has been in my imagination for some time. I was waiting until I had just the right message to go with it and the creative inspiration to get it out on paper. That time came a few days ago – when the house was quiet {three in school, daddy sick in bed, little miss busy with a sticker book} and my bible open.
This is what I read:
It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
2 John 1:4-6
I love that it is written to a woman {most likely a reference to a certain ancient church, but, whatever}, love that it includes children, and love that it boils the Christian faith down to the most basic requirement – to love one another.
But something else really struck me.
We live in a time where love is a word we just throw out {I just did a few times up there} to describe how we feel about something.
“I love this song”
“I love that color”
“I love your shoes”
We say it all the time. And we probably mean it. There is a lot to love in the world.
This scripture takes it a step further. Love, yes. But also walk in love.
It’s not just a matter of saying you love it. It’s in the actual doing {the walking} when love makes a difference.
I put the new print on our entry table. When we pass it, I hope it reminds us as we come and go to remember our ultimate purpose: to love.
What that looks like, I’m not certain. Maybe some days it means having a little more patience in how I interact with my kids. Or maybe it’s taking the time to stop and talk with the chatty neighbor lady down the street {even though I have things to do and places to be}. Maybe it’s writing that thank you note or smiling at the straight-faced bus driver.
All simple things, really. None requiring much more than a few extra minutes and some thoughtfulness.
The best part of it all is that it doesn’t matter what’s on our feet – high heels or flats, boots or barefoot – we can all walk in love.
This print is a new favorite of mine and I hope you love it as well.
Posted by emily
