October 2

Beloved of Good Shepherd Church,

Grace to you and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord!

Jesus' way of love is a steady, subtle rhythm of self-emptying and letting go. He thought less about himself and more about how he could love and help others and turn us all to God as our source for peace, happiness, and comfort. Thus a good guiding question for Christians is, Can I love these people? Who is standing right in front of you? Who are you about to be with in the next moment, hour, or day? Let go of your need to control, correct, or corral them, instead simply and gently return to love. Let your only agenda be: Can I love this person? At first that may seem naive and overly optimistic, perhaps too simple, but if you stick with the practice I suspect you’ll find that it is none of those things. Rather, it is a deeply meaningful method for opening up space in your relationships. In this new spaciousness you’ll find a remarkable freedom for yourself and the person who is the object of your love that you never imagined was possible. When Jesus says, Let go, or, Give up all your possessions, perhaps what he is talking about is giving up everything that is less than or other than love. So, out with argument, acrimony, resentment, old hurts, and the need to have it your way, and in with the fresh, clear waters of the love that stream freely inside your own soul as your source and sustenance.

Just for today entertain the only question that actually matters: Can I love this person?

Remember this always - God loves you, and I love you too!

Love is all,

Hendree+