This will be the last in my blog series on generosity. After today I will be taking a couple of weeks away from the blog. I'm not sure what I will be blogging about when I resume in mid-August. Any ideas or suggestions?

Today I want to reflect on generosity and love. I was very lucky to grow up with loving, expressive parents. Every night before bed my parents would tell me, "I love you." This was a great gift. When my father died in 2010 I had no question that he loved me. Every time my mother and I talk on the phone we say, "I love you" to each other across the miles.

Jesus tells us that the most important thing we can do is love. The greatest commandments are to love God and love each other. In John 15 Jesus tells his disciples, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." Love defines our lives as Christians.

In our culture romantic love gets all the attention. There are, however, many different kinds of love. There is the deep and committed love of long-time partners. There is the love between parents and children. This is the love among friends and the love that binds together brothers and sisters in Christ. As a pastor I have experienced the love that exists between pastor and congregation.

When was the last time you said, "I love you?" Is there someone in your life that you love but have not told? What could you lose by expressing your love to someone else? How are you being called to be generous in expressing your love?