The Power of Love

"This is my command: Love each other."

John 15:17

Little Taylor was enjoying a wonderful day with her family. Then out of nowhere the unthinkable happened. Due to a freak accident, she obtained a bad injury to her face and mouth. There was no way her family could have ever forseen the accident that had occurred. A plan for a wonderful afternoon on the water evaporated for Taylor and her family. Taylor was rushed to the ER. Her mom texted members of the church prayer group. The prayer group quickly stepped in, notifying everyone of the crisis. Everyone began praying for little Taylor. While in the ER, Taylor asked her mom, "Who is praying for me?" A sweet, brave little girl with a developing faith in Christ wanted to know if anyone had petitioned God on her behalf.

At this very same time, another family was at home about to enjoy a wonderful meal together. The mom checked her email as she was putting the finishing touches on the dinner. She saw the news of Taylor's accident and prayer request for her. Immediately, dinner plans were postponed as she and her husband decided that there was another child who was in greater need of their prayers and attention. So, they left their family and drove with haste to the ER. After inquiring on Taylor's status at the front desk, they settled into the ER until they could see little Taylor. An hour after arriving, this couple was finally able to see Taylor. When Taylor learned that this couple were in the waiting room, she asked her mom if she thought they were praying for her. She was hopeful and delighted to know someone was there for her. She and her mom were allowed to go to the waiting room to see the couple. As she entered the waiting room, Taylor burst into tears, hugging the lady who came to see her. According to Taylor's mom, it was this moment that little Taylor realized that there were people in the world, in addition to her family, who really loved her. Not only did she have the love of her family, but also the love of those in her church family - those who prayed for her, who reached out to her and her family. What a powerful testimony to a child about the love of Jesus Christ! For Taylor, this was Christ's love demonstrated in a real and meaningful way. She saw Christ in action through people!

Taylor's story is not the only one that I've heard in which people have so generously and unselfishly shared the love of Christ with others. There are so many more testimonies of people loving each other, doing life together, helping each other, praying one for another, encouraging one another- those who are helping families facing health crisis, those who are helping families in financial need, those who are reaching out to mentor youth - and the list goes on. Our church is so blessed to be made up of so many people who truly "love one another."

Love is more than lip service. Love is a verb. Love is action oriented. Love is a choice. Love is being there for others in this life even if it inconveniences you. Love is looking out for the best interest of others before yourself. Love is a sacrifice. Love is a commitment. Love is hard work - let's face it, some people are just harder to love than others. That's not an excuse not to love them. The command was, "Love each other" not "Love each other except for... Billy because he is hard to get along with...Susie because she's always so negative..." Love is worth the effort.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." 1 Corinthians 13:3-5

Really loving others the way Christ does is challenging. We may not be perfect at loving others, but that's okay, we don't have to be. We can do our best and trust God make up for our shortcomings.

Love one another.

In His Love, Cathy