I Choose to See Love
I Choose to See Love
by Kathy Penrod
To be a disciple of Christ means you do your best to follow His perfect example. That example was filled with love. For everyone.
Just one example of the Savior’s perfect love is found in the story of woman of Samaria. In a time when Jews did not speak to Samaritans, Jesus lovingly taught this woman. Regardless of her race, regardless of her lifestyle, Jesus offered His love to her. (John 4:7-26)
Shouldn’t we do the same?
The news is plastered with stories of hate. Of war. Of blame. Isn’t this the most opportune time to show that we are, in fact, followers of the Great Jehovah Himself? Can we claim to be Disciples of Christ and refuse to love our neighbor? Can we refuse to love our enemy?
Being a disciple of Christ is not always easy. It is not always popular. It is not to be taken lightly. But, once we make the choice to follow Jesus Christ, we don’t get to pick and choose the easiest commandments to keep.
Jesus said to “love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matt 5:44) If we are to truly follow Jesus Christ, then we must accept that this statement applies to us today. Now. In our fallen world.
I am not a poet. But every once and a while I express my feelings better through verse. This is my response to the bigotry, the fear, and to the judgment. My deepest prayer is that we will all choose to see love.
I Choose to See Love
I want you to know I see you
I see your tear-stained face
I see your hands, desperately reaching for help
I see your fragmented life
I want you to know I see your pain
Your loneliness
Your heartbreak
Your humanness
Your suffering does not diminish because we are different
It does not disappear because others are hurting too
I am not afraid to reach for you
To love you
I see you
I am sorry the world has collapsed on you
I will not turn my eyes away from your anguish
I will not ignore your cries of help
You and I are the same
Our hearts beat the same
Our eyes see the same sky
You and I belong to the same family
I will not refuse my help
I will not let hate or ignorance dictate my actions
To me, you are family
To me, you are God’s
I hope for you a better world
Where you are safe
I hope for you a simpler life
Where you are happy
I want you to know I see you
You and I are not so different
I want you to know I see you
And in you, I choose to see love
