Like Because; Love Despite

How do you go about your day?  Do you walk around full of light and shine your love onto others? Or, do you begrudgingly walk around withholding grace?  I recently heard a statement, ‘like because, love despite’ and it really resonated with me.

Becca: When I was little, my grandmother, she used to say: “You like because, and you love despite.” You like someone because of all of their qualities, and you love someone despite some of their qualities….. Set It Up [the movie]

Recently, I watched a great movie with my daughter called Set It Up.  It was a nice light movie with heartfelt moments and lot’s of laughs.  In the movie was a quote ‘Like because, love despite’ and I loved that! It sparked joy in my heart.  

Like Because….

• They have similar interests
• Their sense of humour
• They are kind
• They are a hard worker
• They are sincere
• They are helpful
• They are thoughtful
• They are positive
• They are generous
• They are respectful

Love Despite…

• Their flaws
• Their looks
• Their habits
• Their imperfections
• Their moods
• Their messiness
• Their health
• Their issues
• Their financial status
• Their day

That simple statement really packs a punch.  Think about it for a moment.  We like so many things – beside a person’s traits (as stated above).  We like sleep or a warm cup of coffee.  We like puppies or the smell of a baby.  We like sunshine or the sound of ocean waves.  To like is simply stating something brings us pleasure, joy, or a feeling of happiness.  

However, to love despite….  

Love is actually an action.  Not a feeling.  To love something is making a choice – a deliberate action.  To show you care.  To show you support.  To show you are there for them.  Loving despite a quality emphasizes true love.  It grows a relationship. It is such an important lesson to remember.  In simpler terms – love despite is just another way of saying – Give Grace!  

Instead, be kind ot each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you… Ephesians 4:32

How would the world be if we made the effort and choice to give grace?   To forgive? I believe, we all would be much happier.  I believe our neighbourhoods would be much happier. I believe, our world would be much happier.  Learning to love despite [someone or something] is as simple as applying it in your day to day.  

I love winter, despite the cold.  The pretty snow on the trees reminds me of a snow globe.

I love the rain, despite getting wet.  It brings out the luscious green I love to look at.

I love to travel, despite the hustle and bustle of disorganized strangers.  It brings joy people watching in other cultures.

I love my friends, despite their political views.  We were all made to be different.

If I choose to love – this in turn will bring me joy and happiness.  Which, in the long run will create a much more positive day.  If my day is more joyous and positive – grace will be so much easier to give.  

So, as you go about your day today, how about reciting the statement:

Like because…

Love despite…

You just may find out and realize that grace is easier to give than you originally thought.