In the Christian calendar we are in the midst of Lent. Lent is a 40 day preparation for Easter. During this time, Christians focus on the disciplines of fasting, prayer and confession. As we practice these Lenten disciplines it leads us to reflect more often on Christ’s sacrificial love for us and can lead us to generously share Christ’s love with our neighbors.
How can we share Christ’s love? After all, we are mere humans. Our love is fallible. We are not as kind or patient as Christ. We are weak. And yet, throughout the Bible Christians are instructed to love each other, to be kind to each other, to forgive each other just as Christ has forgiven us. In Romans 12:9-13 (NLT) we read how to put love into action, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them…hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other…When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” Easier said than done, right? Who has time to practice hospitality?! I recently read a blog that was titled Fridays are for Grace, which tells how the author keeps her schedule free for a certain time every Friday and lets people know they can drop by whenever they want to during that time just to visit and share tea or coffee. What a beautiful gift it is to take time to meet with others and to intentionally build community!
Mother Teresa said, “We cannot do great things, only small things with great love.” This quote is a great encouragement and a great challenge all wrapped up into one sentence. Showing love and trying to make a positive impact in our world is not about dreaming up the most elaborate, grandiose plan in hopes of changing the world. Instead, it is simply being kind and doing small things with great love. Instead of waiting for the perfect plan or the perfect time, what if TODAY we each started to do “small things” that show love to our neighbors? For instance, what about the neighbor who is working two jobs to make ends meet, could we encourage them with a kind word or perhaps double our dinner recipe and take the extra to them for their family for dinner? What about our friend or neighbor who is going through a really tough time right now; could we write them a note just to let them know we are thinking of them? What about the neighbor who is lonely and might need someone to talk to; could we take some time to call or text them and let them know we are available if they need to talk? In his book Caring Enough to Hear and Be Heard, David Augsburger says, “Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable.” Let’s take time this week to listen to our partner, to our children, to our neighbor. Listening is a way of showing love. Let’s remember to keep doing small things with great love.
Another way you can do something small with great love right here in Juneau is to get involved in the ministry of Love INC. Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) is a partnership of 25 churches in Juneau who come together to help our neighbors in need. Some of the ways Love INC helps is by listening, praying, giving food, furniture, clothing, linens, basic kitchen items, baby items including baby furniture and offering educational classes.
During February, the month of love, the Love INC Staff and Board of Directors would like to thank the community of Juneau for your ongoing support! Some of you give to Love INC by donating through Pick.Click.Give., our annual fundraising auction, monthly or year-end donations. Others of you donate much needed items that are distributed to our neighbors in need. Finally, some of you give of your time. Volunteers are vital to Love INC. The work of Love INC is made possible by a few staff members and approximately 40 volunteers a month from our partner churches in order to carry out the work of Love INC in our community. Thank you, Juneau for sharing your love with our community through Love INC! To find out more visit our website: www.loveincjuneau.org or call (907) 780-4090. “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
• Wendy Wall is the executive director of Love INC.
