I stayed home for most of today, but  for a few hours in the afternoon I joined my husband at the school for registration.  Over the course of 47 years though I have been to a variety of places.  If I could list all the places I’ve been to over the years you could probably tell what kind of person I am.  For example I generally shop for groceries at a health food store.  I am in church on most weekends.  As a mom to four children, I’ve spent a lot of time in the kitchen, at the playground and occasional trips to the zoo.  To name just a few more places I like to go: libraries, book stores, yard sales and gardens.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:26, “If anyone wants to follow me, let him model his life after mine. Then where I am, my servant will also be.”  When I read the gospels I can see where Jesus spent a good portion of his time:  With other people.  Why?  Because He loved them.  But let me not forget the last sentence of that text, “Then where I am, my servant will be also.”  Also let me not forget His command in John 13;24, “I want to tell you to love one another. You must love each other as I have loved you.”

When I think back I doubt I ever spent as much time as Jesus in the places He would have been.   I seriously doubt I’ve ever loved anyone as much as Jesus did either.  He died for you and me.  I, on the other hand, generally tend to be a little more selfish with my life than the example that Jesus gave me.  For example: When the pastor’s wife recently dropped by our house to borrow our phone, (she had locked hers in the car upon arrival at the church to pull weeds), I cheerfully let her borrow the phone, but I just couldn’t bring myself to volunteer to help pull the weeds.  I had several good excuses, it was blazing hot outside, we had just moved, and a couple of months before I had helped her pull the weeds at the church!   I think it would be helpful if I remember these words from Jesus as well,  “If a person lives only for himself, he’ll lose eternal life. But if he dies to self and lives for others, he’ll produce a harvest of good things and receive life eternal.”  John 12:25

I want to tell you to love one another. You must love each other as I have loved you. People will know that you are my disciples by how much you love each other.  John 13:24