In A Hurting World, Love Begins in a Neighborhood

In a hurting world, love begins in a neighborhood where a mom can't pay a water bill and a neighbor pinch hits. In a hurting world, love steps in where kids need bicycles and your kids give them theirs. In a hurting world, love steps in and encourages a mutual fund broker that he is and does make a difference in the lives of so many. In a hurting world, love steps in and moves a single women and three kids from a home to a duplex after the husband runs out. In a hurting world, Love and Grace are shown to people who differ with you and even wrong you with great intention. In a hurting world, love steps in and is the reflection of Love in the Name of Love, beyond the walls and santions of the Church. Why, because in a hurting world it will not be the

neat and tidy Church that changes the lives of the hurting for Christ's sake, it will be the broken and humble recipients of Grace who in their neighborhood reach out and touch in His name.

Hurricanes, tornados, tidal waves and fires, divorce, drugs, neglect and loss. In a hurting world, love begins and is fleshed out in a neighborhood and I'm so glad God put me in a neighborhood that I can show His love in tangible ways each day and make a difference in so many lives. As Paul, if I boast I boast of this only that Christ may be high and lifted up.

In a hurting world, all theology, all doctrine, all self-desire must be pushed to the back and the true essance of love must rise to the top in all we say and do as Christians. This is not the conquering plan of hopeful Jews over an opressive Rome, this is the example of Jesus. I pray He helps me be love in my corner of a hurting world.