The Cost of Love

Something To Think About The Cost of Love:

(Warning:  Grandpa bragging:) In case you haven't figured out, most of the time the picture at the top of STTA is of one, or more, of my grandkids.  The picture today is of the oldest of that youngest generation of Merrells.  Christopher is a musician, and like many artists he brings a passion to life that is refreshing and challenging.  He loves the Lord, and cares deeply about others.  He recently wrote, I think the hardest part of my job is not the work itself but working with guys for 6 months or so, building a friendship with them then watching them leave only to do the same thing all over again with a new guy. . . . always watching people come and go. Christopher is a thinker.  He has observed and figured out something that I didn't grasp until I was a good bit older than him.  You can't love for free.  Love always involves an investment.  The rewards of love are often such that we don't notice that.  Having a good friend, and enjoying those around us is enjoyable, but we live in a world where people move away, move on, and go in directions that break our hearts. Chris, as his friends know him, works in an industry that is populated by short-termers.  He has been in the company for several years, most of his coworkers stay with a job no longer than a few months.  As is often the case with this kind of short-term, somewhat seasonal employment, those who work at the trade are hardly pillars of the community.  Young as he is, Christopher is often the the most mature, by far, man on the job.  He considers himself a missionary.  He wants to make a difference in the lives of those around him. . . .make the most of your time with people. Even the ones that get on your last nerve. . .  Love people through their mess. . . .   That kind of love is costly.  People will disappoint you, even hurt you.  Those in whose life you make a difference will likely go on to other places--places out of your orb.  They tend to make this move just about the time that they get healthy enough that they could give you some return on your investment.  It hurts to see them go.  After getting burned a few times the tendency is to wrap yourself in insulation.  Just do your job.  If you get too involved it will lead to pain.  Christopher reminds us to love them anyhow.  The model of love that we need to keep in mind is that of our Lord Jesus Christ.    “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, NASB95)   There are people all around you today.  Some of them are the kind of folk it will take effort to love.  Love them anyway. Thanks Christopher for giving Papa, and I hope some others, Something to Think About.