Love

Family,

I am sitting here, swaying back and forth, trying hard to focus with the amazing pulsating pressure in my head, but its not working very well. It seems that one's balance is directly connected to one's middle and inner ears, which means mine is completely stuffed. So. I feel like i am swimming at the bottom of a deep pool and trying to walk across a ship on some massive waves. Its a fun time for me, right now.

I bring that up because this past week i have felt a lot of love. I have felt the prayers of all of you. And i have felt the support for me and my family as i get better and, with God's help, hear better than i have ever been able to hear, before. So thank you. And this is vital, this feeling of being loved is key, for us and for Advent.

In our Scripture focus, Mary visits her cousin, Elizabeth, because Elizabeth is about to give birth. While visiting her, the baby, John the Baptist, jumps in his womb, because the Holy Spirit wants to let Elizabeth know that Mary was chosen by God for a special task. Did Elizabeth show jealousy because Mary's child would be greater than hers? No. Elizabeth celebrated Mary's call and journey and purpose. "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!"

Elizabeth celebrates with Mary and gives her a blessing. Why? Because of love. Love doesn't need to be right. Love doesn't need attention. Love doesn't need its own way. Love is greater than these, and love pushes us to embrace the other. More than that, love, true love, Godly love, the first fruit of the Spirit love, celebrates and delights in the ways God blesses others. Love doesn't look in the mirror and proclaim, "why me?" Love looks into the eyes of our sisters and brothers, and with all the enthusiasm we can muster, says, "Blessed are you!"

Love lifts up the other in our midst and makes sure they feel loved. Love walks with the widow, so that in her times of lonliness, she knows God is still with her. And love looks beyond the faults and pasts of others, instead it sees potential in that person. More than that, love helps that person see their own potential and God given purpose. Why? Because love, true love, Godly love is like the farmer spreading seed. Its our job to throw as much love out there, so God can produce a harvest of loving Christ followers who are ready to change the world.

I know the power of that love, from God and from all of you, now its my job, our job, to share that love with any and all. Amen.

Shalom,
jerry