Yesterday I was putting gas in my car and a man rolled up to me at the pump; he was in a wheel chair and I knew what was coming next. He asked for money, of course. But God tugged on my heart and instead of reacting, I stopped and just looked his way and asked, so what’s your story? I think I took him by surprise but he did answer after a brief hesitation and told me that he was hit by a car several years ago and his spine was fractured in three places. He said he had some ability to walk, now, but it is painful so he is in the wheelchair most of the day. I expressed by regret for what he had been through but asked if he was living somewhere and why did he need money – didn’t he have family to help or a provision of some kind? Well, through our conversation I saw that, really, he just wanted someone to listen. I did give him the little cash I had, he said thanks, very sincerely and was also grateful for the conversation. I also told him where he could get some practical help with food, as the little money he has just doesn’t cover all his needs. Sometimes we just need a little compassion, and so do others.
Love really is Kind.
Sunday afternoon, our boys were playing a Wii game together. Being BROTHERS, this can sometimes get competitive and ugly. It was beginning to head that way when our youngest stopped, breathed in quickly and covered his mouth (as if something was wrong). He then muttered, “Oh man!!! I forgot my Bible verse said that love is patient and kind!”
LOVE IT!! 
I was in a retail store 2 weeks ago on my lunch hour and, of course, in a hurry. However, the lady in front of me was having a hard time doing a return with a new sales lady. She kept looking back at me apologetically and I smiled encouragingly. I finally had an opportunity to get a little closer to her and say, “It’s okay, your time is just as important as mine and anyone else’s standing in line. She seemed so relieved at my comment and I thanked God I was the person waiting in line.
Last week we started The Love Challenge as a family and we decided to engage our 6 and 4 yr old boys by playing the “That’s Love” game. We challenged them to be loving to one another, to us and everyone they connect with. When one of them catches someone doing something loving they are to say out loud “THAT’S LOVE”, so they will know love when they see it. So, day one goes fairly well because it is fresh in our minds, but by the end of the week we are slacking off. By the Tuesday, I am thinking we are ALL going to need another refresher on the rules of the game but I was pleasantly surprised by my 4 year old, Jaden on our way to a special family night out. Big Brother Cameron wanted to be unbuckled from his car seat “first”, and Jaden said “O.K.” You can go first”. I recognized his genuinely selfless attitude, and commended him saying “That was awesome Jaden, you are being so kind to let your brother go first”. To which he beamed a smile and said ” I’m choosing to be patient, because That’s Love!” I am amazed that they really understand that in this game everyone wins… even when you choose to be last.
“I am very challenged to love others the way God wants… and I am excited to see what God will do in all of us in the coming weeks. I just got my journal.”
We got our journal last week and have started using it. Overall it is a very useful tool in organizing your thoughts on what is a change in how we would want to see the world. This series so far seems to point out that we all have different challenges when it comes to our relationships and this (pointing to the journal) is a way to help and address these issues so we can rise above it in order to lead a happier life and more rewarding relationships including our marriages, friendships, our children, and people we may only come across once in our lives.
How has the Love Challenge made a difference to you or someone you may have helped? Why don’t you share your story with us and let others know how God’s love has made a difference. Click on the “Share Your Story” link above and fill in the simple form to share with others what a difference The Love Challenge can make.
