Do we live at a pace that allows us to be available to those who live around us? What would it take to change the pace of our lives in order to be more available? In order to take The Great Commandment seriously, we must create space in our lives to build relationships with those who live near us.

When we try to love everyone, we often end up loving no one. Perhaps we need to take the Great Commandment literally. We can only do a few things really well—let’s make sure that one of them is the thing that Jesus said matters most: The Great Commandment.

Am I using my gifts, talents and resources to serve the poor in such a way that they are invited to serve, too?

Do I only have relationships with people who are like me? If so, how might my relationships better reflect the coming kingdom of heaven?

Do we sometimes help the poor to help ourselves? Might we be hurting them instead? What if the answer is for all of us to be “poor in spirit?”

To deepen and strengthen my relationships, I need to practice the art of letting go.

To deepen and strengthen my relationships, I need to practice the art of risking awkwardness.

To deepen and strengthen my relationships, I need to practice the art of acting intentionally.

To deepen and strengthen my relationships, I need to practice the art of being all there.

Generosity frees me to be like God.