Loving God… and the Person in the Mirror

When Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest, He didn’t even pause. He said,

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and most important command.”

“And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.”

— Matthew 22:37–39 (ERV)

This time of year, we talk a lot about being thankful, thankful for family, food, faith, and the people sitting around the table. But the older I get, the more I realize Thanksgiving isn’t just about gratitude, it’s about balance. It’s about learning how to love God, love others, and love yourself enough to rest, refill, and keep going.

If someone’s struggling, I’m thinking about all y’all half the night, staying up half the night worrying about how to help, trying to figure out how to raise money, call contacts, and fix the whole situation. My heart’s big, but my tank runs empty.

That truth softens me every single time. He’s not asking me to fix it all. He’s asking me to be faithful with my part. To check in, to pray, to love people through it. I don’t have to meet every need. I just have to show up with what I have.

That’s when it finally makes sense. Loving your neighbor doesn’t mean saving them; it means serving them.

a cozy fall-decorated porch with a wicker chair covered by an orange plaid throw

Sometimes that looks like giving them a meal. Sometimes it looks like sitting quietly beside someone who’s hurting. Sometimes it’s just sending a message that says, “I’m thinking of you.” You don’t have to fix the whole world to make a difference. You just have to lift the corner of the burden that’s in front of you.

And that phrase, “as yourself,” isn’t about pampering or pride. It’s about wellness and stewardship. Loving yourself biblically means taking care of the body, mind, and spirit God gave you. It means resting without guilt, eating food that fuels you, and talking to God before the world. It’s not self-centered; it’s soul-centered.

“Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”

— 1 Corinthians 3:16 (ERV)

When you care for yourself, you’re caring for something sacred. When you rest, you’re trusting God enough to stop striving. When you say no, you’re making room for obedience. He never asks you to run yourself into the ground for His kingdom. He asks you to love Him, love others, and love yourself enough to stay healthy enough to do both.

Paul said it best:

“When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble and honor others more than yourselves. Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too.”

— Philippians 2:3–4 (ERV)

This Thanksgiving, as you pass the mashed potatoes and bow your head in prayer, remember loving your neighbor starts with a grateful heart, but it also requires a healthy one. You can’t pour water from an empty cup, and you can’t serve well if your spirit’s running on fumes.

bread and coffee next to a bundle of sunflowers

So love God with everything in you. Love your neighbor as if they were family. And love yourself enough to breathe, rest, and thank Him for this one wild, beautiful life. Because gratitude isn’t just saying “thank you” for what He’s done, it’s taking care of what He’s given.

That’s not modern self-love. That’s biblical stewardship.

And that’s the kind of love that lasts long after the leftovers are gone.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”

“And love your neighbor as yourself.”

— Matthew 22:37–39 (ERV)

💗 Stay sassy, stay faithful, and take care of His temple, you.