The other side of love

Holiday Inn, Boxborough, MA

True story….

It was a dark and stormy night—really!—just striking midnight, when I pulled into this Holiday Inn, Boxborough, MA off exit 28.  As I entered the lot, I saw the car behind me and we both parked next to each other.  We dashed for the door in the rain.  I got there first, opened the door for the other people, greeting them with a smile and some comment about the weather.  We made our way to the front desk—and guess what?  They got the very last room in the entire motel.  It took me another 40 minutes to find the Comfort Suites in Haverhill, MA. 

This Christian living can really challenge you!  If I had gone in first, well…you know as Paul Harvey loved to say—the rest of the story!  You bet I thought to myself as I dragged myself up the road---that was for you, Jesus.  But I am still tired as …..

 

 Same Song, Second Verse...

Then recently, there was the very, very long line of traffic that I sat in—it was endless.  Here was this truck on a side street, poking his nose out and trying to catch a break to get into the traffic.  Of course!  Be a neighbor!  Let the guy get into the lane.  Then I gasped.  It was a garbage truck…and it stopped many, many times creating its own back-up behind the back-up!  I was furious at myself for not seeing what I had done.  Oh by the way,  that was for you too, Jesus!  

In both cases, I acted as a Christian initially--open the door and let the others go ahead, and letting the truck out into the traffic.  However, I was not prepared for the personal cost for that -- should I say, love?  Love acts in a disinterested way, selfless, putting the other person first.   Maybe it is enough for me to caution myself--to reframe my action by saying,  that was for you Jesus. 

Then again, the story of Jesus is that he knew the price that he would pay before he acted--and he still acted showing us the true love of God.