Loyalty: Love with a Crown On It
by Sandy Ohlman
There is only one thing more beautiful than genuine affection; its affection crowned with loyalty. When looking back over your life, there is nothing that will draw a smile across your face like the thought of a life long friend. It’s a precious thing to share life (the ups, downs, messes and masterpieces) with a faithful companion. Life has a way of pulling us in many directions and sometimes across many miles but a true friendship will never be pulled apart.
Plato said that only a man who is just can be loyal (Loyalty, Wikipedia). How true; and only a heart saved by God’s grace can be called just. He has made us just like Jesus, just as if we’ve never sinned. With this new heart we can strengthen our bonds of love with each other by living justly; speaking, thinking and acting mercifully toward each other. Living justly begins in a state of humility; giving mercy, fully aware of the mercy required for our own life. A just minded person walks with God in love toward mankind. A just hearted friend never sides with the “Accuser of the brethren”, or climbs up friendship ladders toward their own dream. A true friend loves at all times and believes the best of others. (1 Cor 13:7 AMP)
Strengthen your ties by strengthening your love, just as you would a muscle. Begin with receiving a fresh dose of mercy for yourself. Take time to meditate on God’s redeeming love for you. Let His mercy remove the burden of “performance” from your shoulders. No more hoops to jump through; it’s settled – you’re loved. Allow God to saturate your heart with comfort and joy. Push away every thought that stirs fear or regret and pull in the goodness of God. This will build up your love and enable you to love others with unwavering strength.
As you look over your life are there connections that need to be strengthened? As women we juggle the need for relationships and the reality of responsibility. Maybe the calendar is crowding you out of life. Busyness can be a thief if we let it. Don’t let it rob you of the dear, loyal people around you. Carve into the calendar time for relationships. Even mini-moments expressing your love and loyalty with a letter, a simple gift, an act of kindness, a helping hand or a few shared moments over coffee will keep the love ties strong and your heart happy.
A loyal friend, one who will protect you publically and privately to the very end – they are worth their weight in gold. Cherish them within your heart, protect their name, believe the best of them invest into their lives and hearts – pray for them earnestly and love them loyally. Life is not complicated. It may sound cliché but it’s so true: When we love loyally we live royally.
