One Kind of Love I Want to Emulate

7 ½ years ago, a goofy guy made an ice cream cone man using spinach leaves and other veggies. He walked up and introduced me to his frozen friend. Ever unable to keep a straight face, I tried to hold a serious conversation with the melting monster.

I don’t know if he knew I needed some cheering, but it seemed to be his mission to make me feel welcome anywhere he was, no matter what was going on.

The first time I visited his hometown, he introduced me to folks he knew. We visited the local library, where he’d worked and made friends with many sweet grannies. He took me to multiple doctor’s offices to meet the staff- through some health issues, they’d become his friends. I met pastors’ he’d learned from, volunteers he’d served with, and a slew of teenagers and kids happy to see his face again.

Although I’d just met them, many told me instantly how kind he had been to them. They told me he’s a rare treasure. And when I meet people he knows that I don’t, they tell me the same things today.

The man has comforted people after they’ve delivered us bad news. He’s the kind of guy who, after a long day at work, goes to the store to get me a candy bar because he loves to make me smile. And who stays late anytime someone needs to talk.

Because he knows the grace given him, he’s a judgement-free zone. He’ll tell you the truth, but, as his previous co-worker shared with me, “it’s the kindest ‘no’ you’ll ever get.” I can’t tell you how many times our arguments have involved him making me laugh.

My husband has “hospitable” written on his heart.

I don’t know if that’s your goal, but I know it’s something I want to emulate.

So, after a few years of observation, I think I’ve caught on to what it is that makes him so disarming:

He doesn’t take himself too seriously, but he takes life in with God’s grace.

These two verses make me think of the man God’s given me, and spur me on in the faith-

1. “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought” – Romans 12:3

Love isn’t self-seeking. Love doesn’t need to compare itself to others. Love knows that all we have, we have received—even the love we have to give.

Instead of considering ourselves as a standard, we’re to be as we are in Christ: saved by grace. Able by grace. Who we are by God’s grace. Eager to extend that grace we have freely received.

2. “In humility count others more significant than yourselves.” –Philippians 2:3

This is not a self-esteem issue, it’s an esteeming-others-more-highly virtue. That virtue comes by faith. We regard others first when, by faith, we live out the trust that God will look after us. Seek Him first, seek Him with all we have, He takes care of the rest.

Instead of counting the cost, we’re to count it wealth to welcome others like Christ.

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