A young man seated among first year medical students at a Be the Change presentation last Friday asked me, “What did it take for your family to stay intact amidst so much medical crisis?” My answer flowed easily since I’m absolutely sure of what it took.
I expressed my gratitude to this student from Mayo Medical School for asking the question. It gave me the opportunity to talk about the real human experience, which for us includes unfailing love consistently received from family and friends. There was the answer; it takes love and lots of it. Love exemplified by selfless service to our family is what sustained us, making us resilient. It continues to supply the strength we need to keep pressing forward.
Although loving service is a free gift, it’s sometimes difficult to receive especially when pride wants some space. Yet, when able to humbly receive you view something greater than yourself. Through grace, love becomes tangible by a blessing chosen specifically for you, answering prayers of the faithful.
Thankfully I say we are loved beginning with the One who loves us most. Love and kindness demonstrated to us in our desperate need by the hands and feet of family and friends, even strangers. It’s our own version of the Christmas story; people making room for us, giving what they had. Similar to what was done for a weary couple in Bethlehem thousands of years ago.
My hope and prayer is that you too receive deep, unconditional love and because you experience it, you are changed. And if ever you are asked what it will take you can reply, without doubt; it is love.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2011 from Be the Change.
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