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Love is the Language of Christ
"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.
Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another." – John 13:34-35 NRSV
We have people come through the doors of the McCurdy Family Resource Center every day who are experiencing some of the hardest moments of their lives. It is humbling to know that they are coming to McCurdy for support.
There is one gentleman who I met that has stuck with me. He was very timid at first and even apologetic about asking for help. I assured him that we are honored to be able to share what is given to us. I realized in that moment that I needed to slow down and take time to help him feel at ease. He shared that he was in recovery, had just gotten a new job, and needed work clothes.
I helped him in the Light House clothing pantry to choose work pants and boots, and he shared about his journey. As we were walking around, he stopped and thanked me for my kindness. He got tears in his eyes as he shared that this was the first time in a very long time that he was treated as a person, not an addict. I told him how honored I was to be able to hear his story and how brave I thought he was for the work he was doing. We both wiped tears from our eyes. It was a moment I will never forget.
A moment that was so simple, yet profound. In the listening, sharing, and choosing clothes – what he experienced was love. This is the heart of what Jesus is sharing with his disciples: love is the language of Christ. Love is the mark by which the world will know that we belong to Christ. Our love can also be a window opening them to see that God loves them. It is beautiful. Sacramental. And it is in these moments that we truly do become the hands, the feet…the heart of Christ to a hurting world. One conversation or smile or giving of resources at a time. Love in action.
Prayer:
Jesus, You show us what love truly is and we want to share that same love with everyone we meet. Give us a deep sense of those individuals You put in our lives who need to know the great love You have for them. Help us to slow down, listen, and truly ‘see’ people with Your loving gaze. And help them to know that this love is YOUR love. Amen.
Rev. Tiffany Hollums
Executive Director
McCurdy Ministries
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