Showing Up

Showing Up, 24x24, oil on canvas

~ I added a red fox to this painting because I love foxes and they tend to show up when least expected! This field needed a fox. And some heart.

 

I've heard it said that the best way to demonstrate love is just by showing up. Yep, it's true. Do you remember who showed up at the funeral home? Who showed up when you were sick? Who showed up for the baptism? Who showed up when you were humiliated? Who showed up when you were betrayed? Who showed up to celebrate your success? Who showed up when your babies were born? Who showed up when your dog died? Who showed up to clean up after the wedding? Who showed up to help take care of grandma? Who showed up to celebrate a special birthday? Of course you remember! I know I do! And with that remembrance, my heart fills with love and gratitude.

Turn the table around and ask yourself, “Did I show up?”. Are we all smiling and nodding our heads? Probably not! None of us are perfect and there’s been times when we didn’t show up when we should have. Yeah, I said, “should have”. We didn’t show because it was inconvenient or we didn’t think our presence mattered much. Hello? Your presence matters more than you know! And life is filled with inconveniences, but love trumps inconvenience. By showing up, you show love.

Jesus showed up for all of us. 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 

-John 15:12