An elderly evangelist I know wrote this poem about loving the people we meet:
Will you still LOVE me?
When I am young and wayward and do stupid things.
When I am old, wrinkled, weak and helpless.
When I am grumpy, restless, picky or demanding.
When I am ugly, deformed and a shock to the eye.
Will you love me?
When I am culturally different in clothes, food, eating habits and behaviour.
When I am homeless, untidy, smelly or on drugs.
When in dementia, and I don’t know you, can’t communicate and do and say weird things.
When I am depressed and withdrawn and feel I am in a black hole.
Will you love me?
When I have a mental breakdown and in a mental hospital, hit out and out of control or when others say that person is queer.
When I am not your type and you feel awkward and off balance with me.
When I have done something to hurt you.
When I have different beliefs or no belief or you are inclined to be judgmental.
Will you love me?
When I am alone and neglected.
When I betrayed you.
Oh God Will you still love me?
Thank you Jesus for your message of the lost son Luke 15:11-31
and of Lazarus Luke 16:19-31
And thank you Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus for your great love.
And thank you for your people who show some of that same love.
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us…There is no fear in love.” 1 John 4:17,18
DH