Love your neighbor as yourself

This summer, Sammie has served as an intern working with us at our Wichita office. Sammie is a junior at Friends University studying business. Before finishing her internship with us, Sammie shared some thoughts about finding the balance of constantly serving others and taking care of ourselves. 

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

For most of my life I believed that it was my job to take care of others. I didn’t believe that I was worth being taken care of and that everyone else deserved love and care except me. I had no concept of the fact that I deserved love and care too. I was driven with thoughts that I must love and care for others, completely disregarding myself in the process. After acting on that belief for a whole summer of ministry, I was emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausted.

Then, I was reminded of one of the greatest commandments, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” I was missing the very important second part, “as yourself.” In the process of loving my neighbors

I had forgotten to love myself. I believed in the love and care of Jesus for everyone except for myself.

My self-worth was so far gone that I believed no one would want to care for me. I believed that I was lower than everyone else around me. Through the last year, I have learned the importance or self-care and spiritual disciplines that go along with that. I still believe my life is one of service, it just looks different now, and it is healthier and sustainable