October 18, 2023 “I love you.” “That was one of those, wasn’t it?” That exchange happens nearly every time my twin sister, Deanna, and I talk. “Love” is a big word. It has a lot of meanings. I love my twin sister, and I love chocolate. While my love for chocolate is pretty big, it pales in comparison to the love I have for my sister. I “love” both, but the feeling isn’t the same. When my sister asked if my expression of love was “one of those,” though, she was asking about a specific type of “I love you.” She was referring to what I call the “you’re ridiculous I love you.” I adore silliness, fun word play, unexpected phrases and those times when people point out the general absurdity of some life moments. Luckily for me, I’m surrounded by people who add those bits of joy to my life. I don’t recall how or when it started, but it became important to me to tell the people who throw those moments of happiness into the world that I appreciate them and their humor. So, when one of my family members or friends says or does something I find humorous, I very often follow it with, “I love you,” sometimes said as I shake my head or laugh. Most of the people in my life have caught on to what it means and why I say it. Some now use the “you’re ridiculous I love you” on me and on the people in their lives. It’s just another form of love, and it’s spreading. I was thinking about the way people love as I considered this World Mission Sunday, to be celebrated Oct. 22. I’ve been blessed to meet and interview individuals and families involved in mission work. While the families and individuals are all very different and serve the Lord in different types of missions and in different places, I noticed one thing they have in common: they all share this profound love of Jesus and His people, especially those in most need. They work to share that love by sharing education, health care, skills and talents, prayers, funds and support, leaving their homes, workplaces, schools and communities behind to do it. They sacrifice out of love. They give out of love. This World Mission Sunday is a good opportunity to share our love with those serving the missions and with the people they serve. Please pray for them. Please consider supporting them as they share Christ with others. There’s nothing ridiculous about that. |
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