Love Always
There's so much to love about the South. And I do. And not just because I have family and friends who live in North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, Alabama and Florida. Although, Florida doesn't feel like the real South to me with transplants and retirees from all over the place. And then there's Disney World, and Epcot which proclaim, "It's a small world, after all."
But back to my love for the South. Depending on how you voted, it's easy to paint a region as red, blue or purple and have done with it. Or them. And we do it within our families and churches, as well. But at what cost?
So last Sunday, someone asked me why I sign correspondance and email responses almost every time with "Love always." Well, it's because in the past few years God keeps nudging me to err on the side of love. Remember, it was Jesus who said to his disciples, "Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:34-35, NLT) So it's a mandate from God for me to love always and in all ways through words and actions. And it is also my heart's desire to communicate that I intend to always love you. However, loving like forgiving isn't easy. Just ask God. Or me, for that matter.
Which reminds me of the subject we're discussing in our book group at Christ Church. We are reading Miroslav Volf's book, Free of Charge, "Giving and forgiving in a culture stripped of Grace." It is a tough read at any time, but especially during the season when some gift givers "shop 'til we drop."
Alas, the Christmas season highlights that our culture is big on gift giving. But sometimes to our own detriment and those on whom we lavish too much of what is not needed and too little of what is essential to flourish. Like time together. Focused attention on each other. Playing games together. And sitting together around a table, eating, talking, listening to each other.
And just that image pulls me back to the South. I can see old Mrs. Rodgers inviting us to pull over a rocker on her porch and sit a spell. Then she'd bring out sweet tea and we'd just rock for a while. No words needed. Both were new to me as a ten year old transplanted from Illinois to rural Georgia: sweet tea and "sittin' a spell." But both were gifts.
As to the forgiving part of the book we're reading, some of the same folks who welcomed us weren't so keen on keeping us when the church Daddy pastored and they attended began to integrate. And love always, for some, became love sometimes but not for all. So life took a hard turn for our family and we had to learn to forgive. It helped when we focused on all God had to forgive when it came to each of us.
But it's Advent, a time of waiting and anticipating the gift of Christ coming and what that means to each of us. It's a good time to sit a spell. Less shopping. More sitting. And sitting reminds me of the best advice Mama gave me, which I've shared before. Her words regarding marriage and living life to its fullest were: "Life's short, Janice Dawn. Never miss a chance to sit close."
And I can't help wondering if sitting close could be the start of chosing to forgive, or to receive forgiveness. And just maybe, it's the gift most hoped for and needed by some who feel estranged, isolated and lonely. They need a bridge. And unconditional love is that bridge that says," Life's short. Just come on over here and lets sit a spell." Love makes the impossible, possible. Just ask Mary.
Love always, Jan
12 Comments
Perfect - amen my friend!
Thanks, dear Candy. Your words, like time we spent lunching and catching up together at the Seaport Grille, blessed me. Sending Christnas HOPE and JOY to you.
Thank you, as always, Janice Dawn (what a perfect middle name for you)!
Love always,
Theresa
Well, I was born at dawn on a Sunday in Chicago more than 84 years ago. I like the name, too, dear Theresa. And I love that you and my daugher-in-love are in a writing group together. Sending the JOY and HOPE of Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you Jan! My mother took us, probably in 1967, to the AOH Cathedral in Birmingham, a black Pentecostal church. The Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. She wanted to make a statement for ecumenical unity and racial harmony. I just remember the fright of being five years old and a racial minority, yet everyone in the church nicely welcomed us and invited us back! My relatives were among the stiffest Episcopalians in the state. Mom's lesson was clear: All children are God's children.
WOW! Thanks so much, dear James, for adding to the blog with your story. Your mom was a wise woman who raised a good son. And I'm so grateful you came to Gordon College! In my years of going to many churches, I've always found black and Penteostal churches so welcoming and generous. And often the higher church folks the least welcoming and generous. We've much to learn from each other. Sending Christmas JOY and HOPE to you and your family.
Well, if you go to a Michigan-Ohio State game in Columbus don't expect much love as a Wolverine, especially if you win. We are taught that faith demonstrating itself in love is the goal, but I find it very situational as in the above situation. We were in church near Chicago and the first three rows in the center were roped off. After some opening words and music, the pastor asked a staff member to invite in those who had been sitting outside. These, of course, were not our type and they got the best seats. Some of the regulars who did not have spray with them left. And guess who they passed the offering plate to at the start. I am not suggesting they completed the building fund, but I heard the sounds of coins. It was a great and convicting time of worship. Dale
Powerful story, my brother Dale. I love how God often seems to flip the script to help us learn what love looks like. I love the wisdom and courage of the pastor I imagine saints above ,beckoned by Jesus, looked down from heaven's porch at love in action in a church in Chicago. And I wouldn't be surprised if Jesus made sure the widow we read about in the New Testament had a front row seat to observe generous giving, like her mite, dropped in a temple offering plate a couple of thousand years ago. On the other hand, when it comes to rivals in sports, love looks more like respect or good sportsmanship. But sometimes both are hard to come by. I speak from experience.
Jan, if you ever write another book (that would be on my wish list, for sure), you already have the title: "Life's Short - Never Miss a Chance to Sit Close." Grateful for all I learn from you that you pass along to those of us "downstream" in the river of life.
Well, you sure know how to encourage me, my dear Norwegian sister. Not sure who'd want to risk publishing something written by an old woman. But I'm grateful these blog posts continue to encourage, inform, irritate or draw forth some kind of reaction or response. And I'm "tankful"to have passed along something that mattered to you, dear Maggie.
You wrote "Never miss a chance to sit close" on our group card at my wedding to Andrew. Thanks for your post and the reminder!
Happy to remind you and Andrew, dear Alyssa. Yes, it is often something I write in wedding and anniversary cards. So grateful I got to celebrate that important day with you and so many other Gordon people. And to watch the miracle of you and Andrew dancing together. Sending Christmas JOY and HOPE to you and Andrew in beautiful Utah.