Gleaning From A Life Well Lived: The Small Opportunities To Love One Another
Photo by Ozan Çulha
My grandmother recently passed away and I’ve been reflecting on what made her life meaningful. She didn’t have a long, impactful, career. She didn’t write a book or host a podcast. She was never on television; she never marched for rights. She wasn’t perfect and she didn’t seem to mind.
Just what was it about her life that drew so many of us to her grave side? What pull did she have on our hearts? Every single person who knew her claimed that she changed their life… for the better. How did she do that?
My own experience feels unique. Special. We used to ‘meet’ once a week over FaceTime. We’d study God’s Word, encourage each other, and laugh together. God used her to carry me through a very difficult season of life. God used me to encourage her as she made her way through her final season of life. We were bonded together. But that’s just the thing… that’s what everyone says about her. Their experience feels unique. Special.
My grandmother had four children and a passel of grandkids, then another passel of great-grandkids. She worked for a while as a nurse, then a childbirth instructor. She led Bible studies and helped with children’s church. She invited everyone to every holiday gathering and accepted anyone who came. She mailed birthday cards and made phone calls. She remembered what we’d been struggling with last month and asked about it again three weeks later. She prayed for us regularly and kept tabs on our comings and goings. She didn’t push and she didn’t advise. She asked and she listened. She prayed and she encouraged.
The rest, she left up to God. She figured He was much better at those sorts of things. She did all this and more. Not just for family — for everyone. For friends and neighbors. For their kids and grandkids. For anyone she ever met and spent time with. She committed to being interested in whomever wandered into her life.
I have a tendency to look for big ways I think God can use me. (Here I am Lord — use me!) I have at times resented the nitty gritty bits of daily life. They seem tedious and benign. In reflecting, though, it comes to me that love is often found in these small, every day, things. It’s found in dependability, trust, thoughtfulness, a kind word, patience in challenging times, an act of service, an invitation to be present.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
As you consider how God can use you, I hope you’ll join me in remembering my grandmother’s example. Let us take advantage of each small opportunity to love others. Let’s trust the Lord to work through us to change the world — one person at a time.
