“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13
An event last week drew my relationship with my Heavenly Father into a much deeper level, and I desire to be here for several more weeks; seeking the Holy Spirit to nudge me where to go. I trust that God will open the door where to proceed and close the door that I came through six years ago.
This aging process is definitely not for the faint hearted. For the past six years, it has become more difficult to remember names, and I am wondering if any of you happen to recognize the young boy holding the chair in the attached photo? He attends the Lutheran school in Cap Haitian and your gift to Trinity HOPE might be providing his noon meal. Do you remember his name?
When I look at his photo the words “Mwen renmen w.” (I love you) seem to be in his eyes. Nadine, I hope that my translation is correct as my creole is in that ‘use it or lose it’ mode. "I love you" is a phrase that everyone longs to hear...often. Looking at this boy might make one imagine that real love is evident without a word needing to be said. His eyes are saying “I love you” and thank you for your attention to his needs, affection for his school and sacrifice that you have shown for the other people they care about. Wish I knew his name.
If you ever wondered about how much God loves you and him, just look at what He's done for all of us. During Lent, my previous congregation, Christ in Lincoln, NE has a ‘canopy of grace’ strung in their sanctuary and the multi colored pin he is wearing represents the reason Jesus came down from Heaven to save the sinners of this world. When Jesus arms were stretched wide on the cross, He was saying "I love you" more beautifully than it's ever been said before. But God's love didn't stop there as He daily listens to your prayers and this child’s prayers as if the two of you were the only people in His world. He brings good things into your life and then seemingly out of nowhere He brings blessings to this nameless boy in Cap Haitian. God's love for you will not end nor will His love for children in Haiti.
I recently came across a saying by an ‘unknown author’ that said “Jesus did not come to make God's love possible, but to make God's love visible.” Have you seen any of His love visible in the world around you recently? Dear friends, there won’t be any nametags in Heaven and you will know his name and he will certainly remember you. On behalf of this little guy on this side of Heaven I want to personally thank you for supporting this young missionary through Trinity HOPE.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay