The Power of Love

I was at work this last dreary Sunday when my friend called me. Normally I would avoid the phone, but I picked it up only to hear my best friend, practically my sister, screaming my name through sobs. I freaked out like anyone would and tried to calm her down. She finally told me what was wrong–her long time, childhood friend had died. After rushing through rain, traffic, and quick prayers in the car I finally got to her room only to realize “Oh my God, how do I handle this?”

I knew what to do, comfort comes strongest through hugs and cuddling, but what could I say? I struggled for bible verses and silently begged God to overwhelm me with wisdom . Nothing. As I held her through broken sobs and screams of anger I knew what I had to do. I dragged her out of bed and took her to a special place where I usually battle out my emotions with God. As we stood there staring over the water and getting hit with cold rain I was overwhelmed with understanding. Giving her a tight hug, and saying the words “I Love You” dried her tears and even lit a smile on her face.

I took care of excusing her absence from friends and each time they said they keep her in prayer or said the powerful words, “I Love You” I relayed the message to her.  I saw her become stronger with each word & embrace of affection. Even more so, I see a deeper understanding of life and of herself in her eyes. Through love God painfully broke her, through love He graciously picked her up, and through love He righteously calls her. The Power of Love is incomparable and it is through Him that we are taught how best to express it and share it.

We all know that loving one another is a basic truth–a commandment. Yet, sometimes it’s the first thing we forget to say or show. As I prayed over this mission I asked that my team would remember how to love one another. And that by living this truth out completely we would be able to not only tell the children in Washington Heights about it, but actually show them the purity behind sincere love. I prayed that all of the mission teams going out this summer remember just how powerful being loved and loving is. God shows us everyday how to perfectly love one another because He loves us no matter what and His love fixes everything. So maybe, just maybe, if we gave a hug and a smile, or helped a friend with a willing heart and hand, maybe we can spread the ‘wealth’. By something so simple, I pray that a child or even an adult, anyone and everyone, be touched by our spirits and our actions. Even if we touch just one soul, that’s another child of God saved and given new life. God has amazing plans for this mission, especially with us working with children. I ask you to pray that we all stay focused and filled with the Spirit during these coming months and pray over the children of Washington Heights. Pray they accept and search their hearts for whatever God pours into them. And whatever lessons we need to learn or seeds that need to be watered, pray that we obediently learn them well and allow God to continually grow us from the inside out.