Loving Proactively

One of the saddest realities is that there are scores of people surrounding us at this very moment who are hurting. People who are struggling to make it through the day. People who are overwhelmed by circumstances. People who are carrying around heavy burdens. People who are riddled by fear and doubt and discouragement. People who are in need of hope.

And we pass them every day. In the stores, in our work places, in our school hallways, in our churches.

And I wonder are we missing an opportunity to make a significant impact? Are we so preoccupied by our own lives and by our own pain that we’ve missed out on one of the greatest occasions to improve on the life of another by offering love and hope and reassurance.

Let’s not miss the chance to show love. To lighten the load for another. To be extravagant with our kindness. To offer solutions and better perspectives. Let’s not forget when we, too, were in need of a tender word and a gentle shoulder to cry on.

And don’t wait for them to tell you when the wheels on their bus fall off! Don’t wait until the crisis gets communicated. Invest now! Remain consistently by their side so that you’re not surprised by circumstances that suddenly invade. Get involved. Know your tribe well. Inconvenience yourself for others. Infuse yourself into their story. Invite them into yours. Check up on people. Investigate their situations. Be well acquainted with their grief. And celebrate their victories.

We all need one another.

And loving others is a precious gift and an incredible assignment.

Don’t wait on them to say... or ask... or need... love proactively and intentional.

It all matters.