Biblical love is very different from "love" the way the world sees it. Over our Thanksgiving trip last week, I saw a true example of biblical love and it was beautiful. The story is a bit lengthy, but hang in there. I wish I could have had pictures to go along with this story because I still see it clearly in my mind. It is a picture of true
sacrificial love and a person laying down their life for another.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. JOHN 15:13
We headed to the Carousel in MT on Wednesday last week so all of the cousins could go for rides. Fortunately it was indoors; it was a bit too chilly for an outdoor Carousel in my opinion! This place was full of kids, parents, and really good ice cream. Lots of laughing, smiles, and all kinds of cute family moments. It was like the county fair, but all year long!
E went for two rides on the Carousel and that was enough for us. I tried to get him to nap while we watched the other kids ride. As I was sitting there, I saw an older man and a young boy in a motorized wheelchair. I'm not sure what their relation was, but to keep the story more clear, I will just say they were grandpa and grandson.
The man and his grandson waited for a ride on the Carousel and, when the gate opened, the grandpa bent down and picked his grandson up out of his wheelchair. He then carried him to his own Carousel horse to ride and away they went. That boy looked like he was having the time of his life! They went on a few more rides and I couldn't help but tear up watching them. I'm not sure what caused my emotional response; it could have been the pure joy in that boy's face as he went 'round and 'round, or the true sacrificial love that man had for his grandson, to carry him around and take the time to make this boy's day. All I do know is that it was beautiful.
I prayed that the Lord would show me something I could do for those two. I always get nervous praying prayers like that because I feel like I am socially awkward and nervous when talking to random strangers. So I prayed, watched all the kids go 'round and 'round some more, and then the time came to leave. I figured there wasn't anything I could do to show my appreciation for this grandfather and son... until I ran into the card rack, literally.
The cards featured all of the different animals that were on the Carousel and I found the one the boy was riding. I felt a nudge to buy it and give it to him, but felt nervous that he would think I was weird... or something like that. Anyways, I tried to push past the nerves and just DO IT instead of worry. So, before thinking much more, I bought the card, wrote him a message and walked over to the man and his grandson. I took E with me because he is a great ice breaker!
The grandfather and son were very nice people and the boy seemed happy to receive the card. His grandpa shared the boy's name and said he was 8 years old. I introduced them to E, but awkwardly forgot to introduce myself. Anyways, that's the story. I wished them a happy Thanksgiving and God's blessings and we went on our way.
I hope their day was brightened and that they really did have a great Thanksgiving. This world needs more people around like those two - more sacrificial love and more pure, innocent joy. When God nudges me to do things like that, I am always initially resistant and extremely anxious about leaving my "comfort zone". Though, it is always worth it to follow His lead. The thought of missing out on blessing someone else is enough motivation to act on the nudges from the Holy Spirit.
I hope I can love people and lay down my life the same way that man laid down his for that boy. Loving others the way Jesus did is truly what this life is all about.
I'm thankful for...
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| And I'm thankful that same monkey just turned 9 months old! |
The TRUTH Challenge Series --> Day 01: Wisdom,
Day 02: Worry
