A pillow and a blanket

Have you ever met someone who was an “extra grace required” person?

As the old joke goes, if you don’t know one, you probably are one

Loving others requires grace. This may include friends and family. Judging by social media and personal observation, many are at odds with those closest to them. This seems sad, though one of the things I have learned is that when you regularly feel others are the source of your problem, on many occasions, you may need to take a look at yourself and consider if you are the person in need of extra grace.

Here’s a thought to ponder... those of us who are the hardest to love need it the most. Jesus said to us, “love your enemies.” The reality is that He didn’t just say it but He proved it. He set the standard for us.

“Father, forgive them,” we’re the words He spoke from the cross. He was speaking about those who crucified and persecuted Him. However, in the bigger picture, He was speaking about us — Jesus intercedes on behalf of you and me.

Jesus loved His friend Judas, even though He knew that Judas was going to betray Him. Jesus cared for the guy who even after three years of friendship, turned his back on Him. Though life became messy, Jesus didn’t bail. Jesus modeled and lived grace. Love isn’t easy. But it has the power to change a life. Consider the many whose lives were impacted and changed because Jesus loved them even when culture shunned them.

Have you ever blown it? Did God turn from you? Or did you receive grace? You can always receive grace from God if you seek forgiveness from Jesus. Even if others refuse to, Jesus is in the grace and forgiveness business. He can change your life

Loving others isn’t easy because it is inconvenient. Even in marriage or with children, love is often inconvenient

Love requires us to sacrifice our own projects... our own time... our own pleasure. We naturally will drift to loving ourselves rather than someone else — especially those who are not in our circle or who don’t already love us. Jesus told His followers to love their neighbours.

Do you know your neighbours? Do you know their names? Are you involved in their lives?

That’s what Jesus calls us to. It is something I need to improve.

This kind of consistent love comes from the Holy Spirit — God’s presence on earth. It is not natural to us. To regularly go beyond our comfort zone, when life gets messy, and with people who may not return the love, is not something we want to do; but again, those who are the hardest to love, often need it the most.

Loving others can include small actions as well. As this example suggests, even a pillow and blanket can make a difference.

Trevor Ferrell, as a young teenager, caught the public’s eye for his efforts to assist homeless people. He started Trevor’s Campaign for the Homeless in 1983, when he was just 11 years old. On Dec. 8, 1983, he watched a news program about street people. This prompted him to ask his parents, Frank and Janet, how he could help. They drove their son into Philadelphia that night to give bedding to a homeless man who was sleeping on the sidewalk in front of the Union League in Center City. He and his parents later established a homeless shelter, Trevor’s Place. Trevor’s work was recognized by President Ronald Reagan in the President’s 1986 State of the Union address.

Trevor currently runs a thrift shop on Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia.

Because Trevor had a willingness to show grace to those who needed love he changed lives.

He started with a pillow and a blanket as a teen, making a difference.

Perhaps we can do something similar.