A Life of Love

This past week Sean and I had to say good-bye to a man who had great influence on our lives.  His name was Richard Buck and he was the first pastor Sean served under in ministry.  To say Richard was a wonderful man would be truth, but would come up so short for what his life really stood for.  I know Heaven is rejoicing at his homecoming and I am sure Pastor Buck heard those words he lived his life to hear "well done, my good and faithful servant, enter into your reward."

As I have thought about his life this past week and heard others speak of his influence, the same word kept coming up....love.  He loved.  Not from himself, but he loved out of his love for the Father.  Therefore the love his life demonstrated was poignant and impacting.  This is what I desire for my life....don't you?  When you die, don't you want folks to say "she loved well."  I do.  Like crazy I do.

So I've been asking God...how do I love better?  For me, I'm starting at home.  I'm going to love my man better...my kids better.  Begin to think about what they might be needing and try meeting those needs before thinking of my own.  Then, I am asking God to help me notice my neighbors...reaching out with a simple "hello" and watching for opportunity to help.  I want my friends to notice that I am more interested in talking about what is up with them and not just talking about my life when I'm with them. I'm asking God to use me to encourage them.

Love is described by Paul in I Cor.13:4-8 (NIV) like this... "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Whew.  Love.  God knew we would never be able to do the above without His help.  Pastor Buck allowed God to move through his life by loving people. I'm so thankful for his example.   This is my prayer for myself and for you today...that we would stop right now and ask God to begin to use our life to love others...really love people...not just the folks who are "easy" to love, but even those who take a little more effort and intention. 

Thank you Richard Buck for impacting my life with God's love....I am eternally grateful....I'll see you soon.

In Him,
Elizabeth