So, the other night I got in late from a long day. We had just gotten Sara Kate to bed and I was ready to crash when I came to a startling realization. Bubbles (Sara Kate’s fish; she named it) was about to meet her maker. Bubbles needed her water changed and we didn’t have that chemical stuff, or distilled water that we could use. So, what did I do? I went to the store to buy distilled water and save our $5 fish’s life because it was important to my little girl and my wife.

Normally I would not have done this. I would have gone to bed hoping that this fish would make it until the next day when I could run by the store on my way home. But, because of my love for my little girl, what would have been unimportant to me became very important.

My love for my daughter makes me love what she loves. And, that love motivates me to action to protect what she loves.

I think this is how love should work within community. We should have a love that motivates us to action, even to action that is inconvenient and ill timed. We should have a love that effects our passions and desires based on the passions and desires of those we love. That’s what real family is all about. That’s what deep community is all about.

I think this level of community is rarely experienced. But, if we will get over our own selfishness and put others first (in word and in action) we might turn the corner and start walking toward a deeper, more rewarding level of community.

1. Ann Says:
   April 3rd, 2007 at 1:26 pm

   you’re a good daddy.