Love Wherever We Go

<p>I sat on the pier during a vacation, reading my Bible and watching my husband fish. A young man approached us, suggesting we use different bait. He glanced at me as he fidgeted from one foot to another and said, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been in jail,&rdquo; He pointed to my Bible and sighed. &ldquo;Do you think God really cares about people like me?&rdquo;</p> <p>Opening to Matthew 25, I read aloud that Jesus talked about His followers visiting those in prison.</p> <p>&ldquo;It says that? About being in prison?&rdquo; Tears brimmed his eyes when I shared how God considers kindness toward His children a personal act of love toward Himself (vv. 31&ndash;45).</p> <p>&ldquo;I wish my parents would forgive me too.&rdquo; He lowered his head. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be right back.&rdquo; He returned and handed me his tattered Bible. &ldquo;Would you show me where to find those words?&rdquo;</p> <p>I nodded. My husband and I hugged him as we prayed for him and his parents. We exchanged contact information and have continued praying for him.</p> <p>At one point or another, we&rsquo;ll all feel unloved, unwelcomed, in need, and even physically or emotionally imprisoned (vv. 35&ndash;37). We&rsquo;ll all need reminders of God&rsquo;s loving compassion and forgiveness. We&rsquo;ll also have opportunities to support others who struggle with these feelings. We can be a part of God&rsquo;s redeeming plan as we spread His truth and love wherever we go.</p>