The Love Bank…

Years ago I learned that everyone has a “love bank” – and internal vault that holds positive things that are deposited there – and sadly, negative things are subsequently withdrawn.

Everyone has one of these – deep inside – you just maybe didn’t know what it was called.  People in your life that love you will “pour” into your life with positive words of love and healing – that is called a “deposit”.  The more deposits – the better and healthier we are.  But there are also people that you love in your life that DO NOT have words of love and healing – they are cruel – petty and mean – even slightly sarcastic – and that takes a HUGE withdrawal in your personal love bank.

We have a way of remembering  just who is “depositing” or making “withdrawals”.  You notice I said the people who LOVE you – really love you – will want to speak life and hope and healing into your love bank.  Give you MANY deposits to fill up that vault – never leave you wanting or lonely.  But the people that YOU love – are always the ones who TAKE.  Because we cannot be hurt by those that we don’t love – or have invested in.

Which one are you?  Are you a lover and encourager to the people you love?  Do you love to “build” people up?  Does it give you energy and lift your spirits when someone you deeply love is happy?  Do you feel that “deposit” going in to your own bank when being encouraging and kind to someone else?  What if someone gets more attention and something wonderful in their life?  Can you applaud each success and not think – “what’s in it for me”?

Or are you a “taker”.  You may appear to be pleased when someone you love is happy – or gets a promotion at work – or receives unexpected money – or has success in their marriage or other relationships – but underneath you are seething – and saying, “if I give them attention – somehow NO ONE will see me”  And you think that a HUGE withdrawal will come out of your own personal love bank – just for giving a kind encouraging word.  It is just so much more easy to be sarcastic or negative and bring that person “down a peg” – because it will take ANY attention away from you – and you can’t risk it.

I know both kinds of people in my life.  It is easy to love the one kind – very difficult and takes an act of my will to love the other.  Speaking from someone who knows – you WILL NOT lose anything from your own personal bank when you are kind and gracious – because what people lack in giving you – God will make up for their lack and richly bless you.  And you can’t ask for a better blessing than this.

If you have been hurt – and the hurt only happens from someone we really love – believe me, I know – then  it is difficult to love and say encouraging words to someone else.  Remember we are not asked to “fix” someone else – we cannot control what they say and do to us – we have to release that to God – and take ownership for how we will respond.  A big person will forgive readily and be ready – with a FULL love bank to bless others.

I am praying for you today – that your “love bank” will be full to overflowing.

God Bless