I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “World.” Write for five minutes; unedited.
The first thing I thought of when I saw the word prompt was the song “We are the World” by Michael Jackson. These words from the chorus kept replaying in my mind “We are the world. We are the children.” Yes, we are God’s children scattered all over the world. Throughout the world, as God’s children, the language of love is one that is universal.
Tonight I was working at church with the kids who are attending the National Youth Gathering and their parents on a fundraiser. One of them brought their little brother with her. This little boy is so kind and polite. He constantly reminds me of the power of love. I was going to the kitchen to grab some stuff and he ran after me. Then later, he came up to me and gave me a hug. He also kept holding my hand and kissing it as we were walking to the janitor’s closet to get a garbage bag. This little boy’s actions remind me of the universal power of love…a love that is shared all over the world.
My friend Heather and her husband David have spent the last several years in Japan where Heather was teaching English. It was always such a joy to read about their experience on the other side of the world. I even sent them a package that didn’t make it to them. When it arrived back at my house, the box looked like it had been through heck. I wondered where in the world that box had been. Now Heather and David are back in the States, Heather shared a sweet memory book with me that her kids shared with her. Another picture of the universal language of love.
*Five years ago, my friend Renee and her husband Ben and Ben’s cousin Jon traveled to Haiti. While they were on that side of the world, the Haiti earthquake occurred. Ben lost his life that day. After the aftermath of the earthquake, Jon and Renee were wrapped in the arms of the Haiti people. They took the blankets off of their backs and shared them with Jon and Renee. Now Jon and Renee are married and have a little boy. Another image of the universal language of love!
There is a lot of turmoil in the world. But God brings about God’s peace and justice; a peace and justice that we continually pray for in the world…especially as we hear the news stories–ISIS, Caitlyn Jenner, and so much more. The truth, I believe, is that God calls us to be a “voice and not an echo.” God continually calls us to share God’s love with the world. We may not always agree but God calls us to love Caitlyn Jenner even when we don’t understand her decisions.
God sent his son Jesus as the example for us all. Jesus was always turning the world upside down. Jesus was always sitting with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus was continually inviting all of God’s people, all around the world, to sit at the table of grace; where we fill up and spill out for the kingdom.