š Amazing Love in Action š
In a world where division often overshadows unity, the need for “Amazing Love” becomes even more essential. As we step into the Advent season, the Renewal Choir is excited to share a special reflection from our member, Kate, whose story brings to life the true essence of this love. Inspired by the words of 1 Corinthians 13, Kate beautifully reflects on her motherās boundless acts of love and service, mirroring the selflessness and compassion that the world so desperately needs.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.Ā 5Ā It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,Ā it is not easily angered,Ā it keeps no record of wrongs.Ā 6Ā Love does not delight in evilĀ but rejoices with the truth.Ā 7Ā It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13
I can simply substitute the word love, for the word mum, my mum, and there I see amazing love in all its forms. No doubt others can testify to how their mothers live out the gift of motherhood, serving family tirelessly.
Iām so thankful for my mum, and to my grandmother before her for setting a tremendous example of service to others. My grandmother undoubtedly influenced all her children, as when visiting my aunts and uncles in Ireland, Iāve often seen how they continue this practice of service; be it as teachers, nurses, campaigners for human rights or opening places of refuge in their communities.
Itās in the ālove thy neighbourā service I have seen this time and again. These wonderful relatives of mine operate an open-door policy welcoming strangers into their homes where the:
āWill you have a cup of tea?ā scenario is truly lived out and if there is any ā ā¦ā¦ah go on, go on, go onā Ā I donāt imagine the needy, actually need much encouragement.
No matter how busy my aunts were, with working hard and raising large broods of children, they not only made their sacrificial motherhood of love look joyful, but also found time to warmly welcome visitors, including waifs and strays. Theyāve done this with such loving hearts over the years, providing a listening ear, copious cups of tea and made a real difference to many peopleās lives.
Strong in my childhood memories, are the people welcomed through our front door. Mum opened our home countless times, without hesitation and always with such warmth, to anyone who called in, and in particular to the more marginalised. Ā
People, whether by invitation or not, were always made to feel welcome. They were provided with a hearty meal, even when there didnāt seem enough to go around. Loaves and fishes come to mind and my mumās mantra was always ādivide small and serve allā, yet I know hers was always the smallest portion and never the best bits.
Not having the best bits came back to mind very recently when I heard a story about Blessed Mother Teresa. We probably all know of her good works with the poorest of the poor and destitute, but I did not know of her deformed feet. The reason being, that when shoe donations came in, Mother Teresa would seek out the worst pair for herself and give the better shoes to those she cared for. Years of ill fitted shoes meant she could hardly walk properly but she carried on regardless with no complaints in her service of amazing love, restoring dignity, and brining light into darkness.
Returning to my own mothers welcoming ways, we got to know some of the more needy guests very well over the years and deep friendships have continued. I think of Alison, who was a complete stranger and first appeared in our family home years ago when I was a child. Alison was a very troubled women in need of a safe space and reassurance which she received in abundance. I also recall dozens of phone calls from Alison who could ring us up in various states of distress. Mum always listened to her patiently and we learned to do the same. Ā
Alison spent many Sundays and Christmases with us.
Mum and dad remain very much connected with Alison, but āEmergencyā calls have lessened over the years, and it happily falls to me now to respond to her latest way of reaching out which is via simple text messages. I get hundreds of them! Anything from what she has had for breakfast, to how many washing loads she has done; always keeping me up to date with how many minutes til the cycle ends. I get reports of any missing items from the wash and a weather check for drying purposes. The last few messages of the day are all about her dinner and she loves to ask me what Iām cooking for mine. But I also get the most beautiful text messages of love and how much my family mean to her, and these melt my heart. Alison once asked if she can be a grandmother to my children, as she has none of her own, and of course I said yes. Our dear Alison delights in sending them birthday cards, Christmas cards, Get Well cards, postcards, in fact, any card for any occasion, and all the cards are covered in kisses. So much love and in abundance. Iām sure it must make the post office staff smile too. The children make Alison cards and I know she treasures them and puts them up on her walls. We visit Alison every school holidays at her sheltered accommodation for vulnerable adults and this time is very precious.
The beauty of amazing love, is that I see it continuing, absorbed and then demonstrated in the next generation.
My siblings follow the good example set down by my mother and her forbearers too.
āLove they neighbourā was put into practice as soon as my brother left home as he operated this same open-door policy whilst a student at uni. He was particularly keen to welcome anyone feeling unsettled and made extra effort with over sea students.
As an aside, this worked out well for him, as one observer of his open, generous, selfless and non discriminatory heart, fell in love with his compassionate ways and theyāve been married nearly 30 years. Ā
My older sister lives out the virtues of ālove they neighbourā too and in so many ways; most notable when she helped an asylum seeker find refuge as heād fled his country, after horrendous torture. For 6 years she cared for him, campaigned for justice for him and didnāt give up til the judge ruled in his favour. Ā
My younger sister gives her elderly neighbour a meal every Sunday and even when times were really tough, when her husband was too ill to work, and they literally couldnāt afford to feed themselves & their children; they continued the practice of sharing what little they had. They relied on Godās providence, who of course came through for them. They are in a much better position now, reaping the benefits of trust and love.
My youngest sister, a very hard-working teacher, is currently spending every available hour at the bedside of her neighbour, who has been at deaths door with sepsis after several emergency operations. Despite being told at the week-end that he was on the way out, he has instead praise God, made a miraculous recovery thanks to tender loving care, wonderful nurses and doctors and no doubt many prayers. This neighbours only daughter is now in awe at the power of prayer, and how my sister has selflessly helped her through a perilous time, thinking she would lose her dad on top of already losing her mum when she was so young.
Amazing love knows no bounds, shows true kindness, without wanting anything in return. It restores dignity, never counts the costs, protects the vulnerable and perseveres with trust and a joyful heart.
So thank you mum for showing us what amazing love is, so we can experience it, learn from it, grow in abundance of it, and pass it on, cos it comes full circle and sure feels good.”
From her motherās open-door policy to the countless cups of tea shared with strangers, and the deep friendships that blossomed through these simple acts of kindness, Kate’s account is a touching reminder of how love, in its most humble forms, can transform lives. Her story reminds us that love is patient, love is kind, and love never fails.
This is the “Amazing Love” that our concert aims to celebrate. Join us on November 30th, 2024, at St Georgeās Bristol for a night of soul-stirring gospel music that promises to uplift and inspire. Limited spaces are availableāget your tickets today from [St Georgeās Bristol](https://www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/whats-on/renewal-choir/book/706868/). Letās come together and share the gift of Amazing Love this Christmas season.
šļø Don’t miss out! Get your tickets for the Amazing Love Concert event on 30th November. Click here or call the St George’s box office on 0117 929 4929 to book your seats today!