Sunday, March 30, 2014 

By: Gwen Hitt

Yesterday was a day filled with both joy and sadness.  Joy because the family and friends of Trudy Allen were able to join together to celebrate the life of an individual who was an inspiration to everyone she encountered. Sadness because we will miss her tremendously UNTIL the day we are reunited with her in our eternal home. Ms. Trudy was the mother of my first Pastor, John Allen, who is also with the Lord in Heaven.

As her family shared about her life and the impact that she has had on the lives of so many, I reflected on the most impressive quality that she possessed - her ability to love and to demonstrate that love.  One of her sons shared that Ms. Trudy did not stop showing her love even when she was experiencing excruciating pain in her final days on this Earth.

He recalled an incident in which she rubbed the nurse's hand as the nurse was caring for her.  He stated that his attention was completely diverted from what the nurse was telling the family ... but focused on his mother's hand lovingly intertwined with the nurse's hand. He tearfully conveyed that she was still able to demonstrate her love for others even in her extreme suffering.

My challenge to you is to love as Ms. Trudy loved...as Jesus has commanded us to love. Even in the seasons of your life that may be difficult...even when you're having a "bad" day...even when you simply don't feel like exerting the energy... still live your life in a way that others will undeniably know that you ARE His disciple.

Dear Lord, My greatest desire is for others to experience Your love through me ... to proclaim that I have loved as You loved.  Let me be remembered as a person of extraordinary love. 

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection: What do you think others would say about your ability to love ... your ability to demonstrate that love?