“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12
Kindness… one of the most talked about lessons in our household. My husband, Jeffrey, and I often discuss how we can teach kindness to our sweet daughter, Carter gal, through our own actions every day. There are little things we do to be an example to her, like holding a door open for a stranger, giving people a smile, or saying ‘thank you’ often. However, this last April, Jeffrey signed himself and Carter up to deliver Mobile Meals one Saturday a month – really putting “loving your neighbor” into action. I assumed Carter would go along, as Saturdays are her “Carter/Daddy Day.” What I did not see coming was how impactful it would be for both of them.
When Carter gets home from delivering meals, she’s quick to tell me how everyone on their route is doing and if there was anything new going on. She loves seeing all her “new friends” and is always so excited when it is their Saturday to deliver. Last month, Carter was under the weather, so we opted to have her stay home as we wanted to protect the health of all those who receive food. She was devastated and welled up with tears when she discovered she could not go with Jeffrey on their route. It was heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. I loved seeing her compassion and dedication to serving her community.
I am so grateful to Jeffrey as well, for not only talking about “loving your neighbor” with Carter, but finding something they can do together to put it into action! These Saturdays together are not only growing their father/daughter bond, but they are also growing Carter’s faith as she sees the joy that comes from sharing God’s love and bringing hope to the world. They both are a constant reminder to me of not only what it means to love your neighbor, but what it looks like as well. I am so excited to be challenged this year to really look at what it means to “Love Your Neighbor, No Exceptions”.
– Sarah Cohea, St. Luke’s Edmond Director of Youth Ministry
