Have you ever said, “I hate you!” If we are honest, we all have. I remember when I was around 10 years old. I was so mad at my parents. I said, “I hate you!” I cannot even remember why I said this. It was the meanest thing I could say. My dad responded, “Well I love you. Now go to your room.” Tears came down my face. I was so upset. I said, “I don’t care,” and I stomped off to my room. As I was stomping off, my father said, “Well I still love you!” How could he say that? I was mad! Something happened to me as he spoke those words, “I love you.” A feeling of hope and reassurance emerged. My father stilled loved me, even when I was mad. What unconditional love. Hate is a powerful word. It shows contempt, anger, frustration, and meanness. It is an intense or passionate dislike for someone. It expresses how you feel about someone in a very strong and negative way. Once this word is spoken it is out there, and the person you have spoken it to, knows how you feel. Proverbs 10:12 says, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” Maybe we need to think before we speak. But we also need to be like my father and extend unconditional love. I think God does this for us too—this thing called unconditional love. God bless. Amen.