New Year's Promise

“Love each other deeply—with all your heart.” - - 1 Peter 1:22

Every morning, Tyler met Charlie at the coffee shop before school.  They sat at the same table, ordered their usual coffee drinks, and greeted other patrons with a friendly “Good Morning!”  Some days they talked about politics, or college football, or the failings of each other’s generations.   On others, Charlie became Tyler’s mentor.  Nearly a half century his senior, he told vivid stories and offered guidance that, in a spiritual way, helped the teenager discover who he was and might become.

"Have you made any New Year’s resolutions yet?” asked the curious old man.  Tyler shook his head, having not given the upcoming milestone any thought.  He knew a clever response was imminent because of the way Charlie’s eyes sparkled just before he spoke.                                                                               

"You should make two lists!” Charlie suggested.  The first is a list of all the New Year's resolutions you WANT to keep.  When you’ve exhausted all ideas, write a second list of those that you actually WILL keep." 

At home that night, Tyler spent several hours working on the two lists.  After a sluggish start, he quickly filled an entire page with things he’d always wanted to do.  List 2 proved easier – he had no trouble picking five reasonable promises he could commit to.

The next day, the two met as usual.  “Show me your lists,” Charlie urged with an impish grin, the second one first.”  Tyler handed him the ‘WILL’ list.  Recognizing life’s burdens and my shortcomings, these are realistic steps towards a better life," he explained.

Without even looking at it, Charlie ripped the paper into tiny pieces and threw it in the nearby garbage can.  Tyler was shocked, then annoyed at Charlie’s disregard for his thoughtful effort.  That list was really a cop-out; the first list containing all the things I should do to completely change my life is the only one that matters.  He handed over his ‘WANT’ list.   

After an unusually long silence, Charlie crumpled the paper into a ball and once again tossed it into the can without reading it.

"Why’d you do that?" Tyler’s tone angry now. 

Charlie spoke in a quiet yet confident voice. "What you SHOULD or COULD do with your life is irrelevant.  What matters is what you MUST do."  He then pulled a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and handed it to Tyler, who opened it suspiciously.

Three simple words filled the page - "Love like Jesus!"

“You see,” he began “Jesus loved people – thieves; prostitutes; tax collectors; and people sick, poor, and little.  He loved people devoted to Him and those who weren’t.  He even loved difficult and dangerous people.  Loving like Jesus means growing a love for everyone, including ourselves.”

 

Loving God, sometimes we hurt too much to love anyone.  Help me love with my whole heart - even the most difficult people in my life.  Heal any wounds that keep me from loving others like You love me.  Amen.