Happy Valentine’s Day! You know, today as we are all busy showing those we love how much they mean to us, I want to tell you a story about the power of God’s love. Our Papa loved to tell this story – it was one of his favorite memories.
Years and years ago, back in the 1920’s or 30’s, at a national denominational meeting, 200 Christian Native American Elders were attending as honored guests. I had been asked to lead the worship that year, and the Native American Elders were seated in a reserved section in the front rows, all in traditional dress for the occasion; they made a colorful and unmistakable swath across the convention floor.
After the singing and opening remarks were done, a Reverend Mr. Tyson, an aged pastor, got up to speak. Addressing those seated in the front rows, he began slowly, “I was once your enemy, for I was in Custer’s campaign in Wyoming and I fought you to the death.” He went on to describe the bloody battle and then he tried to express his remorse for all that had been done there. The hush in the convention center was uncomfortable.
Suddenly the crowd moved as one, turning in their seats. A large, aged Indian man had slowly risen to his feet, and lifted his hand. He was recognized.
“Mr. President,” said he, “I was in that battle, and we fought you like demons.”
A thrill like an electric shock brought that crowd to the edge of their seats. The Native American elder continued, “I was Mr. Tyson’s bitter enemy, but now I am happy to hear him preach the gospel and we are brothers in Jesus.”
Tense with emotion, the Reverend Tyson eagerly asked, “I want you to come to the platform. Shake hands with your old-time enemy, now your Christian brother?”
With great effort the broad-shouldered, brown-faced old man made his way down the aisles and up to the platform. As the two men approached each other, tears were in their eyes. They did not stop to shake hands. They could not speak, but they fell into each other’s arms and sobbed joyfully. As they stood in that embrace the great audience rose as one and spontaneously began to sing, with hearts throbbing, “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.”
I love that old memory of my grandfather’s because it really gets at the root of what love is all about. It’s about letting the love of God change us -change our hearts, change our lives, change the way we interact with each other. We are his hands and heart in this old world of ours. The amazing, agape love we have in overflowing measure from our Heavenly Father isn’t supposed to stop with us…it is meant to overflow through our lives to those around us as a witness of the God, who is love.
I John 4:7-8, “…let us love one another. For love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love. Beloved, let us love one another.”
With hearts full of love and thanksgiving for all of you,
Cara and Patti
Classic Christianity
Years and years ago, back in the 1920’s or 30’s, at a national denominational meeting, 200 Christian Native American Elders were attending as honored guests. I had been asked to lead the worship that year, and the Native American Elders were seated in a reserved section in the front rows, all in traditional dress for the occasion; they made a colorful and unmistakable swath across the convention floor.
After the singing and opening remarks were done, a Reverend Mr. Tyson, an aged pastor, got up to speak. Addressing those seated in the front rows, he began slowly, “I was once your enemy, for I was in Custer’s campaign in Wyoming and I fought you to the death.” He went on to describe the bloody battle and then he tried to express his remorse for all that had been done there. The hush in the convention center was uncomfortable.
Suddenly the crowd moved as one, turning in their seats. A large, aged Indian man had slowly risen to his feet, and lifted his hand. He was recognized.
“Mr. President,” said he, “I was in that battle, and we fought you like demons.”
A thrill like an electric shock brought that crowd to the edge of their seats. The Native American elder continued, “I was Mr. Tyson’s bitter enemy, but now I am happy to hear him preach the gospel and we are brothers in Jesus.”
Tense with emotion, the Reverend Tyson eagerly asked, “I want you to come to the platform. Shake hands with your old-time enemy, now your Christian brother?”
With great effort the broad-shouldered, brown-faced old man made his way down the aisles and up to the platform. As the two men approached each other, tears were in their eyes. They did not stop to shake hands. They could not speak, but they fell into each other’s arms and sobbed joyfully. As they stood in that embrace the great audience rose as one and spontaneously began to sing, with hearts throbbing, “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.”
I love that old memory of my grandfather’s because it really gets at the root of what love is all about. It’s about letting the love of God change us -change our hearts, change our lives, change the way we interact with each other. We are his hands and heart in this old world of ours. The amazing, agape love we have in overflowing measure from our Heavenly Father isn’t supposed to stop with us…it is meant to overflow through our lives to those around us as a witness of the God, who is love.
I John 4:7-8, “…let us love one another. For love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love. Beloved, let us love one another.”
With hearts full of love and thanksgiving for all of you,
Cara and Patti
Classic Christianity
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