Learning to Love

Donald Miller says in his book Blue Like Jazz, "Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way."

This has stirred me to think of how others have taught me to love.

So here's just a few jotted thoughts of what this has looked like in my life. 

My Gramma Gloria gave me a love for writing letters. We were the best of pen-pals! 

Hearing Chip Dickey preach gave me such a love for the Torah. He can make the Old T come to life like no other. 

I'll accredit my love for strawberry slushes with extra strawberries to Devin, back in our ole HS days. 

My dad showed me a love for the great outdoors, camping and fishing. I'm so thankful our vacations were to lakes and rivers, rather than concrete jungles. 

My mom showed me a love for baking and gardening. She also taught me, by example, how to see people that others just pass by and how much a hug can mean. 

Teresa Sauce showed me how to love and serve God in such a beautiful way. 

Watching Stephanie Dugard showed me a simple love for people, regardless of their past or their skin color. She looks everyone in the eye and judges no one. We also share a love for peanut butter and Junie B. Jones. 

Cheryl Read shared her love for Ghana with me. That was a life changer. 

Living with Mike Peppers definitely gave me a love for coffee and 'Gunsmoke'. His wife Karen showed me how to love the homeless with discernment and passion. 

Kenneth and Kristi Williams, who I live with now in Uganda, have showed me to love life in a way I never have before. That following hard after God is the most important thing you can do in life. 

Nikki shared her love for hammocking and Josh Garrels with me in Ghana 2 summers ago. 

Uncle Ed-Jimmy Buffet and the beach 

Caleb Read-Donald Miller, climbing buildings and living without a door. 

Jake Dugard-Jon Mark McMillan and rope swings 

Katy James-creek baths, summer camp, heard life, PD

Liz Hunt-graveyards and Third Eye Blind

Carly Hill- Sweet Home Alabama at 3am 

The list could go on and on. Somewhere along the way I also discovered a love for the mountains, hiking, audio books, country music, Nutella and chacos. 

I think some things we love naturally and some we have to learn and grow to love. 

The most important things I have learned from others are how to love God, how to love others, and how to love myself. 

And I hope people are learning those things from my life as well. 

"That's the only thing that matters in life, the only thing. Fall in love with as many things as possible."

-Kelly Canter in Country Strong