The year 2010 was full of such difficulty for me. For those who went through this with me may not have realized all that happened. It was full of lies about my origins by an old "friend". I ministry I loved and work with was almost destroyed. My mom became ill which led to her death the following year. It was full of great loss. I was fired from a job I loved and had invested in for more than a decade, as a result I ended up working 5 part time jobs. I lost some young people well before their time. These are just a few of the things.
I was teaching then (the job I lost). One of my students, who was also a part of the ministry I was working with, had lost hope and took his life. I was the class advisor for his class and this event shattered us to the core. I was reminded by one of his classmates yesterday, when he reacted to a facebook post, what I say to all of them and remind them then and even today.
"Just in case no one has told you today... I love you"
As I reflect on current events, I thought it might be a good time to tell you all how that started. The loss of this precious young man effected so many. The school I taught at was small and very family like. Everyone knew everyone and because it was small close friendships were made across grades.
In the days following this tragedy I spent a great deal of time trying to keep myself together as I was consoling and comforting his classmates and friends. In a "chat" (aol messenger 'cuz it's that long ago) I was talking with a young man who was friends with him and was hurting.. As I was closing the chat I told him I loved him. For those who I've taught at school or church... you know I love you deep and hard... as many know... nothing can separate you from the love of Miss Pattie/ Momma Newman. Anyway, I told him I loved him. and there were no bouncing dots for a while and then he started typing. He wrote "wow, momma newman, no one has said that to me in such a long time."
Thinking about that I started to wonder who else hadn't heard those words. I wondered if that young man we lost had heard it enough from people he wanted to hear it from... So I began to tell all the young people in my life that I loved them and told them often. Just a note this isn't sloppy agape, luv ya man, kind of words, you can ask those who still to this day hear it from me
So why bring this up now? As I look at the news and the events going on in the streets. I wonder how many of those people don't hear those words?
I posted on Facebook "It's really ALL a heart issue". No real change will happen until hearts are changed. I look into the eyes of protester and see hurt, loss, misunderstanding and perhaps eyes missing hope and love. I wonder about the rioters and their lives. I wonder when the last time they were shown love, told that they were loved. The young man I spoke to 10 yrs ago came from a great home, a loving family a safe place and he hadn't been told he was loved for a long time. Everyone needs to know that they are loved.
So if you have made it this far in this blog, thanks for reading this. More importantly, stop reading and go tell someone you love them. Don't think that "aww they know I love them, why should I say it.?" Maybe now is the time they need to hear it, maybe they are lost, angry, hurting, or maybe they are having a year like I didn't 10 yrs ago. More importantly than telling them, show them, listen to them, hear what they are saying.
Now is the time to listen carefully, tell people we love them, and see if we can make a change.
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time." (Prov 17:17)
I can give this love because I am loved by God, I can be a tangible example of His love for the people of this world, all people. Don't get me wrong. I can love you but not what you do. When you know this kind of love, you can give it... If you want to know this kind of unconditional love, message me and I'll tell you more about it.
