My daughter and I pray together every night before bed. She's only two, so it's a simple one - "Thank you Jesus. Amen." She always shouts the "Amen" and is so excited to do it. Our sitter has a woodcut painting of Jesus in her entryway, so I pointed Him out to her a while back and told her "Jesus loves you." I didn't mention anything about it again for a while, so I was surprised and had to smile when she brought it up again herself.
We were in her room for some "quiet time" before bed, and I said "Mommy loves you." Normally she'd say "yeah" or "Wuv you too, Mommy." But this time, she instead went to my husband (who is agnostic) and said "Jesus wuvs you." And now, if you ask her "What does Jesus do?" she says "Wuvs you."
And in this tiny person and this adorably mispronounced sentence, I see everything I want to be when it comes to my relationship with God. Jesus loves you. It seems like such a simple thing, but it is so important to remember. Our Lord isn't just some celestial judge who sits far off and waves souls up to Heaven or down to Hell. He truly is our father. And he loves us. He loves us so much that he sent his son to die for our sins so that we could be saved by grace.
As humans, we tend to focus on our flaws, or what's wrong with us - or wrong with others. We write others off, or feel worthless ourselves. But what could possibly show our worth greater than the fact that the creator of all existence loves us? And not just in the way you totally love the designer jeans you got on clearance. He loves each of us individually, just as we love our own children - even more strongly than we love our own children, which is something I can't even wrap my mind around.
Meredith's enthusiasm also reminds me of what a wonderful gift it can be to share God's love with others. I've mentioned before that I'm not great at witnessing, but I am a firm believer in bringing joy to others. I get made fun of sometimes for constantly talking to absolutely everyone - people in the elevator, people at the sink in the bathroom, the clerk at the grocery store. But I challenge you to try it. You don't have to go all Chatty Cathy like I tend to, but try something little. Tell the woman next to you in the elevator that you like her shoes. Ask your co-worker where she got her earrings. (Clearly both of those work better if you're a woman.) Ask someone how they are, and really mean it and listen to the answer. Ask how someone's day is going, how they're feeling. Tell them they have a beautiful smile. Admire their kindness or generosity out loud. All of these things can make a person feel loved, even if only for a moment.
We share God's word, and we can also share His love without saying anything, if that's what you're more comfortable with. Leave a dollar taped to the vending machine at work. Put quarters in a few carts at Aldi before you leave. Put a gift card in your mailbox for your mail carrier. Throw a little extra onto the tip for your waitress who looks like she had a long day. Send a copy of your favorite book to a friend.
My daughter has no reservations about showing her love (aside from occasionally deciding she's too busy playing to give a hug or a kiss). And while I don't know that I'm going to start hugging strangers anytime soon (I might - I am Sicilian), I plan to study her example and be open with my love for others, just as God is so clear in His love for us. You never know what a person is going through, or how one word or act of love and kindness could change their day, or even their life. Fill up on God's love, and pour it out to others. Whatever you give out, I promise you'll get back many times over.
"Think of your fellow man, lend him a helping hand - put a little love in your heart."
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