I recently read a man’s obituary in the newspaper. He was impressive. It made me feel like I took a loan to spend time on planet earth and have spent the time on planet refusing to make payments. It reminded me of a lesson I am learning about respect and gratitude.

I had a dog named Sam. He was my only friend during a terribly challenging period of my life. I feel sure that I relied on him far more than he relied on me. I’m feel that I’m not the only pet owner who has felt that way about their pet. He taught me a lot about life and love.

One day in prayer I was triggered to think of Sam’s death, as all eventually die. Who would morn? Nations? My nation? My state? My community? Who? I would morn because I had invested my love in him. I belonged to him and he to me. So who will morn when I die? Not nations or this nation or this state or this community only the people who have invested their love in me. I am made valuable, not by what I do, but by the love that is given and invested in me. I am given the gift of value. I am learning to exercise gratitude and respect for the generosity of others instead of devoting all my energy to earning what can only be freely given by someone who cares. Love can not be demanded, required, earned, or forced — only given, or it’s not love

Jesus has given and gives the greatest love. He gave up all the joy of heaven to walk as a man and then gave Himself to torture and death. He was resurrected to prove all the truth in what He did and why He did it. That gift of love is beyond what anyone can earn. It is proof that, in our most difficult time and our worst failing, God loves before we get it right. We are each loved, first by Jesus, and next by all those He put in our lives to invest in us. The generosity of God and those He sends our way are more than enough reason to be thankful now, before everything works out.