So I'm sitting here watching In America. A cool independent film about an Irish immigrant family in America (duh!).
I want to share a little story. I was thinking yesterday about when Jesus was talking about the greatest commandment. The second part of that being love your neighbor as yourself. And it brings me to my story.
I have a friend who's been on my heart for close to 3 years now. We don't talk often and we see each other less but for whatever reason every night when I pray her face pops in my head and I'm compelled to pray for her. I've read verses and felt like they were the words she needed to hear at that moment and I've felt the need just to be kind to her and tell her what she means to me. And I've always thought it strange.
But then I realized it's not so strange afterall. I recently thought about what it is that made me apperciate and keep this person in prayer. And I figured it out. Back years ago before my senior year in high school I took a trip to New York and this friend was on the trip. This friend wrote me a note telling me I was special. And it hit me today. That might be the only time in recent memory that someone has told me I was special. I know it's something preached in church and Sunday School when I was little but it's the first and possibly the only time since I entered high school that I remember anyone telling me I was special.
And so I think about times when friends call me up with problems or anything. Those moments when we're supposed to love our neighbor as ourselves. How many times do I just say well I'll pray for you or do I try and come up with a verse that will help them out. And as I thought about this I began to realize that it's not how I would want to be loved. Prayer and scripture are nice don't get me wrong but it's not the love I would want in those moments. Those are the moments when people need an encouraging word, a hug, just to be held.
And so as I thought about this friend who told me I was special and all the times I've prayed for her and given her a word of encouragement, I understand what Jesus meant when we said love your neighbor as yourself. I understand that I apperciate so much what she did for me, still to this day 6 years later, that I'm pouring out the same love.
So next time you have a friend in need of love give me them a hug. Tell them they're special and you love them. Make a difference by pouring love into people.
Matthew 22: 37-40
1 comment:
They def. can make a difference. Sometimes it's hard to say those kind words. It is especially hard for guys to do that since society imposes a certain tough image that men strive to fake/maintain. But you are soooo right! Just that kind word can make a world of a difference to someone and it is worth dropping the machismo mask and taking that leap just to say it.
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