Loving like Jesus

This morning I ran in the rain. It was not your typical Seattle drizzle but an honest downpour which started about 2 minutes before I stepped out of the house and ended as I trailed back into the driveway. I had to smile.

I have a friend whose Dad is in the hospital. His life is literally "hanging in the balance". I've found myself praying for Sam all week, "praying continually" as we are urged to do in 1 Thess. As I prayed for him this morning, I found myself wondering about Jesus and how He acted out His love for others. And for the first time in my life I realized something - something that I'm sure every Jesus follower has known forever - that Jesus loves first, always. The correction followed the love.

Consider the woman at the well.........Jesus' act of love was acknowledging her, speaking with her, knowing her. Any other man would have shunned her, looked through her or worse, cursed her. Jesus' words were a balm to her soul and she felt "known" at the end of their conversation.

How I need to love like that.