School is once again underway and I am happy to be writing again. Susan and I had a wonderful summer and we are very thankful.
I’ve written often of Pastor Manuel, his family, and the brothers and sisters we visit in Ecuador. In July, a group of twelve had the privilege of working alongside those who are serving people, loving children, and proclaiming the Gospel in the mountains and valleys of the Andes Mountains. Gentleness, humility, and faithfulness are fruit we witness that inspire us to allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in our lives.
John has accompanied me five times to this part of the world. It was a great joy this year to watch Pastor Manuel reach up and hug a growing thirteen-year-old. I saw tears in his eyes as he proudly welcomed John back to his home… and of course that brought tears to mine. Pastor Manuel has always had a special love for John.
Using this reunion as a visual example, I can’t help but think that lovingkindness is what our Father in Heaven wants each human being to experience. The manner in which Pastor Manuel embraced John… or the way I hug my little grandchildren… or how a mother holds a newborn… contain the tenderness and compassion of our Lord.
It is sad that so many in this world do not know the love of the Father. The author of all lies has erected countless barriers to prevent the created from knowing the Creator. But we can tell the truth! We can show the orphan, the outcast, and the suffering lovingkindness. We can befriend the poor, the unknown, and the neglected. What if lovingkindness became the quality that best described the Church? ‘Lord, give us grace to do our part.’
“Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens. And your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast. How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You.” (NKJV) Psalm 36:5-10
“I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation. Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord; let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.” (NKJV) Psalm 40:10-11
“But while he was a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him… ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (NIV) Luke 15:20-24