Last night, our family read these words from John:

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:16-18)

Loving in words is really easy. It takes seconds. Loving in deed is a whole different story. Imagine inviting in all the financial and emotional challenges of an overseas or domestic adoption. Or what about welcoming a child into your family whom you know might have special needs (maybe even well ahead of time), even though many would seek to terminate such a pregnancy or leave that child behind? How about providing foster care for children whose lives feel like one giant storm on the sea of life or regularly visiting the elderly in your area to let them know their lives are valued and there’s someone who cares for them?

These make for great sermons, but really difficult practicums. Yet, this is our LORD’s measurement for love and I am so thankful to know so many brothers and sisters who are walking it faithfully. When I am alone and thinking about what love looks like, I think of friends like the Radatz, Hamiltons, Hoiliens, Hannas, Roberts, Larsons, Olsons, and Brendsels (to name a few) and their willingness to bring an orphan near. I marvel at our friends the Hansons and Chediaks and their sober joy to embrace their children, along with all their special needs.

And then I get on my knees (as we did last night) and ask God to give us that kind of love for the people in the places He has called us. Love that doesn’t merely speak words but moves in action…the kind of love that Christ modeled for us…the kind of love that naturally flows from the children of God.

I can’t explain why, but we love a people far away from us. If God grants grace, we will continue to live with them and share in their joys and sorrows. I’ll close this post with a buy Prozac online Buy Zoloft online order Deltasone song Evangeline has been singing all around the house. It warms my heart to hear her (and you might also notice a certain preacher in there):

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