I John 3:17-18 says, “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
As children of God, we need to do more than tell someone we love them, we must show it through our actions and by the truth of God’s Word.
We lived in Valdosta, Georgia for a number of years and both our daughters were born there. When we first moved to Valdosta, the military was bringing us back from an overseas assignment in England. Now, in England, Floyd and I both went over as single GIs, so even after we got married, we were accepted by all the singles. But when we transferred to Georgia, we were married. Having been part of the singles community for so long, Floyd had a real desire to connect with the single GIs there in Valdosta. We only lived a mile from base. After we got established in a home church, Floyd decided to open our home for a Bible study among the single GIs.
We tried to get our church to support our efforts, but our pastor believed that a Bible study should only be initiated through the church, and since we wanted to have it in our home, he was totally against it. He didn’t want us to promote it or teach it or host it. On the other hand, we felt that these young men and women were far from home, and to learn God’s Word in a warm, home environment would give them a place to feel wanted and accepted. So we went ahead without the pastor’s blessings or approval. We just talked to people outside of church, inviting them over on Friday night.
God blessed our Friday night home Bible study. Most weeks we averaged six to eight single GIs, but occasionally we had as many as fifteen. We did more for these GIs than just host and teach a weekly Bible study. We became their home away from home. They felt comfortable calling for a favor or stopping by to visit or talk out a problem. One day I got a phone call from Harry. “Marj, I just got promoted and need to get my stripes sewed on my uniform. I must have them on by tomorrow. Could you sew on my stripes?”
Now Floyd was TDY (a fancy military term which means “out of town,” and one-month old Jamie was in the other room screaming. I’d tried to quiet her unsuccessfully for over an hour. I said, “Harry, I wouldn’t mind, but Jamie’s been screaming for so long that I can’t think. I’m exhausted.”
Harry said, “If I come over and take care of Jamie, can you do it?”
“Sure. Come on over.”
Harry came over. The instant he picked up Jamie, she shut right up. Within minutes, she was sound asleep in his arms. While I sewed on Harry’s stripes, he held Jamie. The sudden silence bolstered my energy level. When Harry left, he set the baby in her infant carrier where she napped for quite awhile, but it got me wondering why he could quiet her so quickly, but I couldn’t quiet her at all. It took me quite awhile to understand what Harry had that I didn’t. Harry had a peaceful, calm spirit that Jamie detected the instant he lifted her into his arms. That was the same calm, peaceful spirit that Floyd had when he picked her up. But I was full of turmoil that she could feel, and the more she cried, the more it agitated me. It was a vicious cycle. As a believer, I had peace with God, but it took me awhile to develop the peace of God. I saw Harry’s peace that day; and I wanted it. Had I not taken time to meet his need that day, I would have missed a tremendous blessing from the Lord.