How Are You Doing!?!

Life is always full of surprises, challenges and changes. Recently our family has made a big move from Michigan to Texas. Not only is the climate completely different, I am finding that the people and culture are very different too. It always amazes me how even though we all live within the United States, each state has it's own 'flavor' and way of doing things. But for all the differences I see, one thing still remains. All people are looking for validation of their existence and love, true love and for someone to care about them. This observance had me thinking... 'do I properly display the love that Jesus Christ had shown or the type of love that our society teaches'? Surface, self-seeking love seems to be pretty common in our culture. It was long after I started thinking about this, that I was tested on this very topic.

I find this type of love where ever I go. Even at church, at times. Most greetings today include, 'how are you' and the most typical response is 'good' or the occasional church going response of 'blessed and highly favored', but I can't help but wonder if it is a true statement and should I attempt to dig deeper to see if indeed they are 'good' or just let it go, because after all I have my own issues, too. (note the hint of sarcasm)

We are currently staying in an RV park as we are looking for property. There are many, many dog owners in this park who break just about every dog 'rule' that the park has set up. One evening my 7 year old and another friend took our beloved Labrador to the pet park to throw a ball around with him. Another woman came to the park without having her dog on a leash and their dog got away from her and barked quite aggressively at our 7 year old. Our lab, who instinctively protects our little girls, picked up this 'lap dog' who was about a tenth of his size and shook it around like a rag doll and sent quite a message to leave his owners alone. Now...here is the challenge, with the woman crying hysterically the husband shouting out every swear word I believe he posses in his limited vocabulary...can I display the love of Christ I know He wants me to yet still not get walked all over by this unreasonable soul? Hmmm, I'm usually up to a good challenge - so I dive in.

After we determined that both dogs were going to be ok (well, theirs needed a couple stitches-ouch) I tried to get his focus off the dog and on to his personal life. Focusing on the dogs weren't producing anything good - they refused to admit their dog was equally at fault as our dog was. Eventually I was able to break though. Even though she rejected my offer to pray with her, after a day her husband did allow me to speak 'God' into their lives. Come to find out that his wife's mom died a few months ago, their son was in a bad car accident a few years ago and she still carries a ton of grief around from these two events. She is on anti-depressants, common for women in their 40-50's, these days and generally is having a hard time with life. She views this dog as her entire life.

This experience of showing God's love, I find, was much harder than praying for waitress with a brace on her wrist, or for the friend that needs a job. I don't know what God is going to do with this new contact, in fact the park had to move our location for 3 weeks because of a scheduling error, and wouldn't you know it is only 3 lots down from this couple - God does have a sense of humor.... but it always amazes me that if we stop and take the time to find out what is in people's lives, they usually open up and let you see a little about truly 'how they are doing'.

My hope, as a Christian, is to always display the love that God the Father has shown to me through Jesus Christ and even though I may not be perfected in it I must keep trying. After all, isn't Jesus' reputation is on the line?

John 13:35 (By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”-NKJV)

Debbie