Share the love
Posted on February 15, 2018
We loved because He first loved us. ~ 1 John 4:19
The school set aside Valentine’s Day for Community Service this year. The teachers and administration wanted to provide opportunities for our students to show love to others on this holiday that celebrates love yet ironically results in many people feeling lonely or overlooked. So our students did everything from making cards and decorating cookies for residents of the Bartlett House to doing chores and decorating at the Ronald McDonald House. Students volunteered at Christian Help, a local church, even did some cleaning and organizing at the school. They loved through word and action.
Instead of serving an organization, the senior class decided to perform random acts of kindness at two local markets by helping folks carry groceries to their cars and giving out valentines. Executing their plan was a little harder than anticipated. In a world where people give expecting something in return, a “free gift” is often met with suspicion. Not everyone welcomed the help offered by the students.
It’s hard to be the recipient of a gift sometimes. All of us can be resistant to take something, even when it’s given with no strings attached.
God loved us first and He loves us relentlessly, even when we turn away from Him. Learning to offer love and risk rejection is all part of learning to love like He loves us. By reaching out to our community, we hope our students are learning to share His unconditionally and freely.
