“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:12
When we know we are loved, it does something to our soul. When we know that someone cares about us, it gives us a strength and a confidence that truly comes from beyond us. Recently, my wife brought a book to my attention that teaches this point.
The book that illustrates what love does to a person is the children’s book, “Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch”by Eileen Spinelli. The book tells about Mr. Hatch, a man that normally keeps to himself. He lives a dull, solitary life. Each day, Mr. Hatch goes to work and eats the same thing, by himself. He rarely interacts with his neighbors, co-workers, or anyone else in the community.
One Saturday, Mr. Hatch was busy cleaning his living room when the doorbell rang. It was a rare occurrence for his doorbell to ring. When Mr. Hatch answered the door, he was greeting by the mailman holding a package. Mr. Hatch took the package inside and opened the box. It was chocolates and a note that simply read, “Somebody loves you.”
Reading this note stirred something in Mr. Hatch. Before long, he begins to interact with his neighbors. He bakes brownies for the kids in the neighborhood. Mr. Hatch even shares the chocolates with his co-workers. He goes from a person who keeps to himself to someone who is connected with his neighbors. By the end of the story, Mr. Hatch is a brand new person, all because of an anonymous note that simply read, “Somebody loves you.”
We have the power to change a life. When we are intentional about caring for others and telling them they are loved, we can bless their souls. Mr. Hatch becomes a new person because somebody expressed their love. He realized that he went from a boring, solitary life to being an active member in his community. He became a person who went from receiving a note of love to sharing love with everyone.
This is the power of love shared. It brings life to all who realize they are loved.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
