Sorry to break it to you. It’s not mushy in any sense of the word. Yet, it’s one of the most special notes I’ve ever received. It was sent as a text message on a Friday morning. I’m certain she was still in her pajamas and sat herself down along with her reheated cup of coffee to send this note:

If you’ve met my mom, you know she quickly becomes your mom too! She can’t help but compliment the beauty she sees in you and it takes mere seconds and she’s meeting a deep felt need of yours. That’s my mom! And that’s how she’s gifted - wired - created! She makes life about others because she is secure in her story, her ministry, her calling, her purpose. Do you want to be, too?

I’ll tell you mine. My story is to love the people of San Francisco with the love of Jesus as a minority of faith. My ministry is to help others learn to love where they live and to live a life so others want Jesus through writing, parenting, neighboring, and prayer walking. My calling is to write and live out my story and ministry. My audience is church planters, city dwellers, people and churches who are living sent.

Getting specific about who you are will help as you pursue job opportunities, conversations, neighbor interactions, and more.

If we believe our story is swell, we’ll celebrate theirs as well.

It’s not this clean cut though.

I have days when it would be

easier to stick to my own kind - those who believe like me, live like me, raise kids like me. To keep my faith, my story to myself, holding out that this world isn’t my home and I’ll live it surrounded by other believers.

easier to send our kids to school where we know all kids eat three meals a day, are told they are loved by their parents, and where discipline and justice are enforced.

easier to separate myself from the world and its problems. To disengage with those I disagree with. To ignore the front page articles fighting for children’s rights to determine their own gender and for shelters to be free-for-all with no accountability.

easier to live somewhere less complicated, less vocal, less expensive, more safe, more friendly, more spacious.

But I have a love story

and people need to know they have a love story. You have a love story, too. Let the cover story of your love story be what grabs their attention. It is true for all of us regardless the details of our story. Love is in the form of a person and that is Jesus Christ.

Let our love notes be simple and truthful.

You are loved

says 1 John 3:1.

You matter to this world

says Jeremiah 29:11-13.

I care for you

says 1 John 4:7.

Today is a gift

says Psalm 118:24.

Love Where You Live Day

Saturday, February 22

follow up with your act of kindness in January

do what’s on your mind, in your heart, and in His Name

with each of our acts, we will collectively let the world know

they are loved.

they matter.

we care.

today is a gift.