To Be A Lover

Most of you know that when Marsha and I met, dated, and married I was an atheist. I'm not sure all atheists are as self-centered as I was, but I do think they get very wrapped up in their own thoughts and think of any other thinking as foolish or stupid. Well that was me until Marsha gradually but relentlessly loved me even ahead of herself, and she both showed me how to live and expected me to live a similar kind of life.

I just finished a funeral for a long time friend who was also the brother of my my brother's wife Marcia. Teddy was a character of the first order. He definitely marched to his own drummer and some of his choices put his own health at risk. Many looking from the outside at his life would not see someone who could make God happy. Teddy, however, was a lover, and God loves a lover. God's example like Marsha's was to give of himself completely to others, but unlike Marsha that meant giving himself much more completely. Putting others before yourself is a standard that can be found in scripture all over the place. Teddy always listened and cared about what was happening in other peoples lives. He went out of his way to care for others. One example was his disabled friend Pete who Teddy took out of the house and brought places even when he had nothing to offer Teddy. That's God's type of love.

I've said often that one aspect of God's transformation is to turn us around from selfishness to loving. I always wanted to be a lover but for many years I had the wrong definition. My definition was self serving. I was so lucky to learn to be a true lover. I thank God that he never let me go my self-centered way. I can't imagine going back to the lifestyle that says all decisions should be made for our informed self interest. Happiness is not found there. As for me I like to be a lover.