A few years ago, we took Shelby (our youngest daughter) to NYC for acting school. Two of our adult children and Mason, our youngest went with us. We went several days before she could move into the dorm, so Shelby could get acclimated to the City and honestly, her Dad and I could be comfortable (or as comfortable as possible) leaving her in the big city. Her dorm is close to the Hell’s Angels Clubhouse – which was disturbing at first and then I saw a few of the members in action on move-in day. Helping bring in boxes, moving cones and directing cars. I understand that is the safest block in NYC!
We traversed the city on foot, by car, and the Subway navigating through throngs of people everywhere. We saw people from every walk of life from Manhattan to the Bronx and everywhere in between.
One of my challenges in life is the homeless. I feel so helpless when it comes to this population of people because I have no idea how to help. I want them to know that I see them, but then I get scared and just clam up and don’t know what to do. In the middle of the day, on a very crowded subway, I saw a perfect picture of what that interaction should look like. An older man got on and began to talk at the patrons in our car, he began to share his story, while he was walking up and down the aisles with a paper cup held out to collect whatever people were willing to give. I got scared and didn’t even want to make eye contact, however, the man standing next to me, begin to engage with him and tell him that God loved him is such a beautiful way and I just listened to the conversation unfold which was probably only a minute or so. When the homeless man walked away, I turned toward the man and he said to me, “He just needed to hear that someone loves him”. So simple, so powerful, yet, I missed an opportunity to show him the LOVE of Christ because of my fear.
Today is Valentine’s day. Celebrated as the day of LOVE. Christ commands us in Matthew 22 as the second greatest command is to love our neighbor as yourself. As we look around us today, let us show the love of Christ to all of those we come in contact with. Let’s really see the people around us, and share a bit of the Love of Christ. This can be such a simple task if we are intentional about it. Really ask the cashier, how they are, listen when your waiter tells you how they are, smile and speak to the people you see while you are walking your dog or taking the kids to school. We can show love in so many ways. Just like the older man on the Subway, people need to feel seen and know that they are loved!
37 He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. t 38 This is the greatest and most important command. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.[1]
Lord, please give me a spirit of boldness and kindness, and be the person that is willing and able to respond in love to situations that I encounter and let people know, that Jesus loves them. In my day to day, it can be a simple word of encouragement that will make a difference in others life. I truly desire to be your hands and feet wherever I am. In Jesus’ name.
[1] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 22:37–39). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
