As I looked around the room, I couldn’t even begin to stop the tears that ran down my cheeks. Each person in that room I loved so deeply. And . . . in that moment, each person in that room was hurting so deeply. My heart ached.

It was not the weekend we had expected. A late night phone call brought us all together to this tiny hospital conference room. This room where hard decisions had to be made. Hard decisions that no one should ever have to make on their own. Yet, as my gaze settled upon each face in that room, God made one thing very clear.

In the midst of our grief . . . our tribe was there.

In the following days, I found milk in my fridge and bread on my counter. Meals were dropped off, messages of love and support sent, and prayers lifted up.

In the midst of my grief . . . my tribe was there.

My tribe.

Some are connected to me by blood. Others, through the work to which God has called me. But regardless of how they fit into my life, I am certain of one thing. God doesn’t make mistakes. Each person in my life is there because God saw fit to put them there.  And, as part of my tribe, I am to love them. I’m to love them just as Jesus loves them.

In the book of John, Jesus spoke these words . . .

“Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you.”

John 15:12 (CEV)

Love as I have loved you . . .

Loving others isn’t always easy. Sometimes it is hard to love those in our tribe. But, loving those God has placed in our lives is exactly what He wants us to do. Think about those whom God has placed in your life. Think about those who make up your tribe and who God has asked you to love. What would loving them well look like? Would your life look any different if you started loving others as He loves you?

 

 

 

 

 

https://me.me/i/our-job-is-to-love-others-without-stopping-to-inquire-4505108