(The image, Clothed in Love, was created by ChatGPT)

 

Clothed. Connected. Complete.

By Dr. Al Hearne II

 

Colossians 3:14, “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

Imagine getting ready in the morning. One of the most important aspects of getting ready is choosing the clothes we will wear. The clothes we pick prepare us for what’s going to happen throughout the day, whether it’s work, rest, or something else. Consider the daily routine of a family preparing for the day; selecting clothing together can become a moment to instill values. Just as you would choose attire suitable for the day's activities, parents can guide children to 'dress' in virtues such as kindness and humility before stepping out into the world. In the same way, Paul reminds the believers in Colossae to clothe themselves, not just with fabric, but with Christlike character.

In Colossians 3:12-17, Paul paints a picture of what it looks like to live as God’s chosen people with the Christian characteristics of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, endurance, forgiveness, and then he says, “Above all, put on love.” In Greek thought, the first and last items in a list carried special importance. By placing love at the end and saying “above all,” Paul is telling us that love isn’t just another piece of clothing; love is the overcoat that holds everything else in place.

Picture a jacket that pulls an outfit together. Think about how you feel when a favorite piece of clothing completes your look; there's a sense of satisfaction and wholeness. Just as that jacket brings harmony to your outfit, compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and forgiveness are essential aspects of our spiritual attire. However, love is what unites and gives them purpose, creating spiritual harmony. Without love, these virtues remain separate and incomplete. Love creates harmony in everything we wear in Christ.

Paul was deeply concerned with how believers related to one another. He knew that communities, families, churches, and schools thrive when love is the foundation. Each of the characteristics he lists (compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, endurance, and forgiveness) is simply a way of showing love in action. Love is the thread that weaves them together. Consider a meeting, any meeting, where tensions are rising and voices are being raised. What happens if someone chooses to speak softly and acknowledge each point with humility, shifting the focus from conflict to understanding? Such a response exemplifies how love in action can transform a community interaction, weaving back harmony into the conversation and leaving everyone more united.

As clothes identify us, love marks us as Jesus’ followers. Others should first notice our love, not our achievements or beliefs, but how we treat each other. Jesus taught that love fulfills God's law (Mark 12:29–31). Love is the force uniting people in peace and unity.

Love is what makes us recognizable as His.”

Application

Each morning as you dress, pause and consider what you’re putting on spiritually. Before starting your day, pray, “Lord, clothe me with Your love, in my thoughts, words, and actions, in my listening, and response.”

Encourage this rhythm with your children. Before school, have them name a virtue to wear, such as kindness, patience, humility, or forgiveness. For younger children, turn this into a fun, engaging game where they pick a virtue each day and share how they will 'wear' it during the school day. For older children, initiate a conversation about specific ways they can demonstrate these virtues, prompting deeper reflection on their daily interactions. Remind them that love holds all virtues together, guiding their actions and attitudes.

Throughout the week, notice moments when love could bring harmony, a tense conversation, a tired response, or a misunderstanding. Choose to put on love in those moments. Consider a situation today where love was missing, and imagine how you might have responded differently. What words could have been spoken or actions taken to transform that moment with love? Use this reflection as a journal cue to turn this week-long challenge into an opportunity for continuous learning.

Practical example: When your child errs, take a breath before reacting. Correction works best wrapped in love. When someone frustrates you, choose words that build, not break. Love covers and binds relationships. Consider a situation where siblings are arguing over a toy. By stepping in with a calm voice and promoting sharing and patience, you demonstrate love. Similarly, during homework struggles, when frustration arises, choosing to offer help and encouragement rather than reprimand can turn the experience into a moment of growth. These real-life scenarios show how love can transform everyday family dynamics.

Reflection – Ask your children to reflect upon the following questions:

• When people see you, what "clothing" stands out: compassion, humility, or frustration?
• What relationships in your life need love to bind them again?
• How can you make love the first thing you put on each morning?

Growth in Action

• With younger children, make a “Clothing of Love” poster. Draw a figure and label the pieces of “spiritual clothing”: compassion, kindness, patience, and forgiveness. Use string or yarn to show love, tying them together.
• With older children or teens, discuss a time when words or actions caused division at school or home. Ask, "What would it have looked like to respond with love?" Invite them to script a short video reenacting this scenario and how a "love response" might alter the outcome. This exercise can empower teens, boosting ownership of the concept by transforming reflection into agency. Talk about how love doesn’t erase problems but helps heal them.
• As a family, at dinner, go around the table and name one way each person “wore love” today. Celebrate small moments where love changed the tone of the day.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for clothing us with compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness, and patience in Jesus. Help us put on love above all, the love that brings harmony to home, class, and community. Make us recognizable by our love so others see You through us. Clothe us in Your character today and every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.