Friday, December 21, 2007 at 2:02am
To our friends, with gratitude
Column: For His Glory
Dear Jeff and Jodi Walper,
Catherine and I want to thank you for your generosity in opening your home to us. To let us "crash" at your apartment while we were moving our belongings was such a lifesaver. We couldn't imagine having to sleep on our empty floor these next couple of days before we leave for Texas five days after our stuff left. It would have been very exhausting living in an empty apartment, and, thanks to the both of you, we did not have to.
Jodi, we address this paragraph specifically to you. A woman's home is her fortress of comfort, a place where her touch is seen throughout the entire home, and rarely does a woman let anyone into her home when she is away; yet you have gone above and beyond. The note you left for us, the delicate touches, leaving us towels, shows that you went out of your way to make sure the apartment was spotless and we would feel at home. As Proverbs 31:30 says, " ... a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised." Thank you.
Jeff, in such a short time you have shown yourself indeed a man of God and a friend. Your desire for doing God's will is contagious, and we have taken notice. Your openness in expressing yourself with us has been very refreshing and rare in an age when most men are afraid to be vulnerable. You have opened your apartment to us, and we will always be grateful for your act of kindness. "A friend is always loyal, and a brother [in Christ] is born to help in time of need" (Proverbs 17:17). Thank you.
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me'" (Matthew 25:30).
Both of you probably think your gesture was "no big deal," but it is. As the verse above implies, any act of kindness shown to one of Jesus' "least brothers" is as if you would have given Jesus Christ a place to stay, and the more I think about what you have done, I marvel at how spontaneous and sincere it was. The moment you realized our need and dilemma, without hesitation you said, "Stay at our place, here is the key, make yourself at home." That type of gesture is not natural in humanity, but only as men and women are led by the Spirit of God. Thank you, thank you and a million times thank you.
"Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres.
Love never fails."
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
— — —
Gio Marin is the pastor of the College Station and Waller Seventh-day Adventist Church in the state of Texas. He is currently working on a master of divinity degree at Andrews Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, with a dual emphasis on systematic theology and church growth & evangelism. Send him an email at {email GioMarinColumn@aol.com}GioMarinColumn@aol.com{/email}. © Copyright 2007 by Gio Marin.
Catherine and I want to thank you for your generosity in opening your home to us. To let us "crash" at your apartment while we were moving our belongings was such a lifesaver. We couldn't imagine having to sleep on our empty floor these next couple of days before we leave for Texas five days after our stuff left. It would have been very exhausting living in an empty apartment, and, thanks to the both of you, we did not have to.
Jodi, we address this paragraph specifically to you. A woman's home is her fortress of comfort, a place where her touch is seen throughout the entire home, and rarely does a woman let anyone into her home when she is away; yet you have gone above and beyond. The note you left for us, the delicate touches, leaving us towels, shows that you went out of your way to make sure the apartment was spotless and we would feel at home. As Proverbs 31:30 says, " ... a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised." Thank you.
Jeff, in such a short time you have shown yourself indeed a man of God and a friend. Your desire for doing God's will is contagious, and we have taken notice. Your openness in expressing yourself with us has been very refreshing and rare in an age when most men are afraid to be vulnerable. You have opened your apartment to us, and we will always be grateful for your act of kindness. "A friend is always loyal, and a brother [in Christ] is born to help in time of need" (Proverbs 17:17). Thank you.
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me'" (Matthew 25:30).
Both of you probably think your gesture was "no big deal," but it is. As the verse above implies, any act of kindness shown to one of Jesus' "least brothers" is as if you would have given Jesus Christ a place to stay, and the more I think about what you have done, I marvel at how spontaneous and sincere it was. The moment you realized our need and dilemma, without hesitation you said, "Stay at our place, here is the key, make yourself at home." That type of gesture is not natural in humanity, but only as men and women are led by the Spirit of God. Thank you, thank you and a million times thank you.
"Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres.
Love never fails."
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
— — —
Gio Marin is the pastor of the College Station and Waller Seventh-day Adventist Church in the state of Texas. He is currently working on a master of divinity degree at Andrews Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, with a dual emphasis on systematic theology and church growth & evangelism. Send him an email at {email GioMarinColumn@aol.com}GioMarinColumn@aol.com{/email}. © Copyright 2007 by Gio Marin.