Love Anyway
Two words, printed on an average-gray sweatshirt, and it's my favorite sweatshirt of all time. The two words? Love anyway.
I bought it from a non-profit called Preemptive Love Coalition that works to relieve suffering in many forms in Iraq and Syria through tangible love. Sometimes it looks like heart surgeries for kids in Iraq. Sometimes it looks like food and supply deliveries near ISIS-controlled neighborhoods. Sometimes it means giving purpose and power to refugees through hand-made soaps and knitted baby clothes. But it always means refusing violence and loving anyone willing to accept it, whatever side they're on.
Love anyway. Those two words meant enough to me to spend $45 for an average gray sweatshirt to support their mission, and the reason I wear it multiple times a week. My favorite day to wear it is Friday, maybe because it's a welcome change from my less comfortable work attire. Friday is also the day I usually visit an elderly friend in an assisted living center. Interestingly, that is where I've had the most complements and conversations about that sweatshirt. The friend I visit is especially a fan. As we talked about what it meant, she realized her need to take the challenge in a particular situation she was working through with a friend. So I promised I would get her one for Christmas, and bring it the next time I came, just as a little extra motivation.
Today, I tucked a new gray sweatshirt in a left-over holiday bag and presented it to her, as promised. Her eyes lit up as she held it out and once again read the two words. She said she will wear it tomorrow. I kind of hope it starts a trend of much-needed love in that community of senior citizens, and maybe even a few more gray sweatshirts rolling through the halls.
As for me, I just hope I don't wear it out before the message is burned in my heart. It's hard, but no more excuses. It's what Jesus called me--and all of us--to do: Love anyway.
I bought it from a non-profit called Preemptive Love Coalition that works to relieve suffering in many forms in Iraq and Syria through tangible love. Sometimes it looks like heart surgeries for kids in Iraq. Sometimes it looks like food and supply deliveries near ISIS-controlled neighborhoods. Sometimes it means giving purpose and power to refugees through hand-made soaps and knitted baby clothes. But it always means refusing violence and loving anyone willing to accept it, whatever side they're on.
Love anyway. Those two words meant enough to me to spend $45 for an average gray sweatshirt to support their mission, and the reason I wear it multiple times a week. My favorite day to wear it is Friday, maybe because it's a welcome change from my less comfortable work attire. Friday is also the day I usually visit an elderly friend in an assisted living center. Interestingly, that is where I've had the most complements and conversations about that sweatshirt. The friend I visit is especially a fan. As we talked about what it meant, she realized her need to take the challenge in a particular situation she was working through with a friend. So I promised I would get her one for Christmas, and bring it the next time I came, just as a little extra motivation.
Today, I tucked a new gray sweatshirt in a left-over holiday bag and presented it to her, as promised. Her eyes lit up as she held it out and once again read the two words. She said she will wear it tomorrow. I kind of hope it starts a trend of much-needed love in that community of senior citizens, and maybe even a few more gray sweatshirts rolling through the halls.
As for me, I just hope I don't wear it out before the message is burned in my heart. It's hard, but no more excuses. It's what Jesus called me--and all of us--to do: Love anyway.
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AMEN!!!
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