Dear Friends,
The Christian song “Love Somebody Today,” by Genessis and Nikki, starts out, “You can change the world overnight if you love somebody today.” When I first heard this song, I questioned how the world might be changed if I showed love to somebody. Then, I thought back to an experience I had November 10, 1955.
My friend Bobby Doolin and I were riding our bikes when we saw a large crowd gathered on the newly constructed East Capital Street bridge (Washington, D.C). We raced to see what was happening. Worming our way through the crowd, we got close enough to see that a large ribbon had been placed across the roadway and some very impressive people were talking about dedicating the bridge. Suddenly my heart seemed to stop. There in the middle of the group stood Tippy Stringer, the blond, blue-eyed weather reporter for WRC-TV. I was only nine, but I “loved” Tippy.
I simply had to have her autograph. I had a pencil, but I needed a piece of paper. A wet matchbook on the ground would have to do. Tippy had been handed a pair of scissors to cut the ribbon, so I knew it was now or never. “Miss Stringer,” I began as I walked up to her. “May I please have your autograph?”
She smiled brightly, handed the scissors to one of the men standing with her, took my matchbook and pencil and signed her autograph. In so doing she changed my world.
It’s the little things we do that often make the biggest impact. When Jesus said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” I don’t believe he was talking about grand gestures, he was talking about how you interact day-by-day with anyone and everyone you come in contact with, including those we may disagree with or disapprove of.
In the Sixth Chapter of Luke, Jesus lays out a tough prescription when it comes to loving others:
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:32-36 (NIV)
Yes! It’s easy to love those who love you — it’s the rest of the world that can be a challenge. A good starting point is to look carefully at the language you use when talking about those difficult people. In Ephesians, Paul offers this prescription:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29.
Also, in Ephesians — Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31
Personally, I wish that the words of Psalm 19:14 would come to mind anytime I am tempted to be harsh, unkind, or judgmental. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
A friend of Bonnie’s used to turn negative thoughts into to more positive thoughts by starting any critical statement with the words, “Isn’t it interesting that … “
I had the opportunity to use the “isn’t it interesting” approach this week when another driver nearly ran me off the road when he took a turn too wide. “Isn’t it interesting?” I muttered, “That guy doesn’t even know how bad a driver he is.” That was a lot better than some other things I might have said.
This week, in an effort to love somebody, I’m going to try to edit my thoughts and my words knowing I can change MY world overnight if I love somebody today.
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 