Jaclyn (10/27/2024)

She works at one of the local gas stations on weekends. My habit of reading name tags and addressing people by name led to her asking my name. When I said it was Kate, she laughed and said, “Two of Charilie’s Angels.” Of course, she was referring to the old tv series “Charlie’s Angels” and Jaclyn Smith, Kate Jackson, and Farrah Fawcett. It was the beginning of a friendship. I’ve come to treasure her concern for others and the way she lives it out. And this past week, she did it again. In response to a house fire in our small city, she arranged with her boss to start a cache of gas cards for the family. Patrons can donate gas cards for the family to help them during this difficult time.

She and her actions remind me that we are all called to love and help one another however we can. Jacyln does that. She finds meaningful ways to accompany others on difficult legs of their journeys. She’s not one to simply “feel bad” about the news. She looks for real ways to help. She’s a model to me in ways she’ll probably never know. Most especially, she reminds me that love for others isn’t a frig magnet saying but rather a mandate for us all. And she is blessed to never be swayed by the modern adage “What difference would it make?” She knows that love lived always makes a difference even though others may not recognize its significance and sufficiency.

Today I plan to make my way to the station and donate a card for the family. I hope I encounter Jaclyn while I’m there. I’d like to catch up with her on how her own life is going. And I pray that her example isn’t lost on me. I pray that I myself will do better at accompanying others by being willing to do all that I can along the way.

I think of the parable Jesus taught of the Good Samaritan. It wasn’t the ones whom we would have thought would help the poor victim; no, it was the one we least thought would. It’s not our walk in life nor our status that determines our response to others. It goes much deeper. It’s our character. And this morning, my prayer includes asking for the character of a true disciple.

As we all go forward into our new week, let us seek to live Christ wherever we go and with whomever we meet. And let us not be stymied or intimidated by what others may consider our insufficiencies in the moment. Instead, let us confidently and prayerfully and lovingly live our faith in our LORD out loud by loving those we encounter along the way.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.