The Discipline of Love

There is a lot that has changed in my life over the past few months.  I’ve taken a leave from local church ministry.  I have moved to a new city.  I’m officially a stay at home mom.  And like a lot of women these days I’m also working from home. 

So, the kids went back to school full time this week and here I am trying to figure out how to organize my time.  I’m learning that it takes a lot of discipline to keep myself on task and do things that don’t necessarily have a deadline.  It’s REALLY easy to get distracted, look up at the clock, and wonder where the time went. 

Discipline is important in all aspects of our life.  When I was training for a marathon I had to get out and run, not matter what the weather was like or how I was feeling.  When I was pastoring a local church, my sermon had to be ready for Sunday morning.  If something was important enough then I would invest the time into creating a discipline that kept me on the right track.  

Last week I listened to a sermon by Bishop Michael Curry.  In the sermon he mentioned the discipline of love.  That phrase struck me and hasn’t left my brain.  Most of us assume that love just happens.  But in reality love is a practice.  Love is the action we take in order to foster relationships.  And paying attention to something closely enough in order for it to grow takes discipline. 

Several people in my life consistently post their “WOD” or workout of the day on social media.  It’s a smart move.  By doing so they are in essence asking others to hold them accountable to the discipline of a daily workout.  What would it look like for us to have a “WOD” when it comes to love?  What muscles would we need to concentrate on and strengthen?  What would we need to do on repeat, over and over, so that it becomes second nature?

I’ve decided in October that I am committing to a new training plan.  A discipline of love, with my very own “WOD”.  I hope that you will hold me accountable! 

Peace, 
Megan