There is an old saying, “Getting old is not for the faint of heart.” That saying is truer for some than for others. For my father, it has been all too accurate. Digestive issues, poor lungs, knee replacement, arthritis, and heart failure have all been making life not so easy. Multiple hospital stays, some for weeks at a time, have been common in the past few years. This past December was especially rough.
But what I want to talk about is my mom. She has been amazing. Although her health is pretty good for her age, her full-time job has been caring for dad. In addition to her normal daily chores of housekeeping and cooking, she has become quite the nurse. Taking dad to multiple doctors has been a job. Keeping track of his medications is no small responsibility. And as dad’s mobility and ability to do things for himself have diminished, mom has picked up the slack. Whatever needs to be done, Mom has done it out of love and devotion for Dad.
Although my parents’ story is common, it inspires me to see how my mom continues to care for, serve, and honor my dad. It is a perfect picture of what Love is.
“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 wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” I Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV).
Love is one of those words that has been distorted in our culture by the evil forces that influence our culture. For many, Love is about romance and sex. In a marriage relationship, that is an important aspect of Love. But love is so much more. It is commitment, caring, and serving through hard times. It is putting someone else’s needs above your own.
Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” John 15:13 (NIV).
This kind of Love is what we all need. To know that someone cares for us and is there for us. We have a Savior who loves us enough to give His life for us.
Jesus also said, “A new command I give you: Love one another” John 15:17 (NIV).
Jesus wants the world around us to notice our Love for one another. There are many ways we can show this kind of Love. Giving up some of our time to serve others, making sure that none of our CBC brothers and sisters are going hungry in other parts of the world, and always sharing the Gospel to a world that needs Christ’s Love. There are many expressions and examples of love, but I want to give a special thank you to my mom for demonstrating to me what love truly is.
Jim Nolt – CBC Executive Board
