I remember when “BA” first came to our Center from a large high school. The adjustment was not easy. He had developed his survival skills around loud & tough talking. Over time BA recognized that loud and tough was not part of our culture. Inside, BA had a sweet heart that wanted to be loved. Like a diamond, he was an encourager in the “rough.”  When he transformed from being “tough” to an incredible encourager, he developed a knack for knowing when someone came into the building. He seemed to appear from nowhere and would briskly approach each guest with a beaming smile, outstretched hand, saying, “Hi, I’m BA, what’s your name?”  He then would then say, “You sure look pretty today.” or “That sure is a pretty dress” or pretty jewelry, nice hair… something positive. BA always had something nice to say. BA always had a smile on his face. BA would bring people presents. He would give you a drawing, a magnet…little things that said, ‘I was thinking about you.’  All BA wanted in return was a smile…a few moments to be his friend.

At BA’s funeral I had the privilege to speak. “BA lived the commandment, ‘Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another.’ BA lived life from the heart, not holding back. He loved us warts and all. He loved unconditionally. BA taught me that by filling my heart with love there is no room for worry, getting mad or letting bitterness take root. He taught me that I must love more, appreciate others, hug more, lighten up, enjoy life, and greet people with the love of the Lord.”

Love is not just a nice idea when it’s comfortable, convenient or for our benefit. God tells us through John, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ₈ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ₉ This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. ₁₀ This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ₁₁ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ₁₂ No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. ₁₃ This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit.” 1 John 4:7-13. Then Jesus clearly said, “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ₃₈ This is the first and greatest commandment. ₃₉ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ₄₀ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Ponder this phrase from verse 13, “This is how we know” (who you really are). Matthew 7:20 makes it clear, “Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” Do people recognize you as critical, harsh, argumentative in conversations and/or social media, in the store or when things don’t go your way? Are you wrapped up in the political division? Or do people see Jesus in and through you? Change is a choice. BA recognized and changed his way. He left a legacy that touched so many lives with love. What about you?