“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22: 37-39

God creates magnificent designs in the pattern of His plan. The fabric of our lives is sewn by our Creator. The Maker of every living thing knows how to bind us together, but sometimes we need to be reminded the blanket of wholeness is made of many threads.

God loves all of His children and wants us to LOVE one another. None of us are deserving of mercy and grace, but God reminds us we are worthy. He helps us consider the sacrifice of His Son. Jesus suffered, died and rose again. Hatred didn’t hold Him to the cross. It was LOVE that allowed God’s will to be fulfilled in our lives.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke a lot about LOVE. He said, “I have decided to stick with LOVE. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” And “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve; you only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by LOVE."

We will become tattered and worn, but GOD will take care of what needs to be mended. He will weave LOVE in the empty spaces of our lives and hold us all together. He will remind us why LOVE bears all things. And when our hearts have been humbled for His, He will help us learn to LOVE like Jesus, with compassion, care and concern.

Today, as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. his words of LOVE speak truth! We must LOVE one another and truly care for all mankind. God will cover us with strength as we pray for our country, pray for our leaders, pray for peace and allow the LOVE of His faithfulness to "inject a new dimension of LOVE into the veins of our civilization."

We will never understand how to share kindness until we open our hearts, choose to make a difference and allow PEACE to dwell. God will replace hatred with LOVE. He will open our eyes so we will recognize what’s needed to bind us together. God will be honored if we choose to LOVE Him and LOVE one another.

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12 NIV

Dear God, Thank you for Your presence. Thank you for reminding us LOVE covers all wrongs. Help us remember why every thread is needed in the fabric of our lives. Join us together with the power of Your LOVE and bind us with perfect peace. Help us remember, when we LOVE one another we are also loving YOU. Thank you, Lord! Thank you for covering us with everything we need to embrace the blessing of a grateful heart. Amen