Change The Atmosphere

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

We were nearing the end of summer. One of the families in our small group invited all of us to an event being put on by another local church to reach out to an immigrant community in our city. The plan was to meet at a park each night for a week and have games, crafts, and snacks for kids and families so everyone could get to know one another.

The first night we went, our kids helped serve snacks, played soccer, and chased little ones around the playground. As we pulled out of the parking lot several hours later, they begged us to go back the next night.

Because of their excitement, we decided to return. As my kids settled in to help out with the activities for the night, I struck up a conversation with a young mom, a recent refugee resettled to our area after spending years in a camp, waiting to be moved to a permanent home. We started talking about our mutual friend Samantha, who had helped to welcome her when she first arrived.

The woman shared about a situation that had happened to her children, an activity in which they did not feel welcome to participate. Sam stepped in to bridge the gap between the two cultures and to help bring about a resolution.

“Sam changes the atmosphere,” she explained. “She changed the feeling from hostility to peace and love. She is such a good friend to me.”

I nodded, feeling sad for all that this woman has had to face in her life and also proud to have a friend who sees the needs of others and takes the initiative to help.

Her words challenged me days later as I wondered, Do I change the atmosphere of the places I find myself? Do I bring peace to my workplace? To my kids’ school and activities? To interactions with my friends who don’t yet know Jesus?

John tells us that the world will know we are Jesus’ disciples because of our love for one another. This love is shown through our words and our actions. And it has the power to change the atmosphere in all of the places we find ourselves, if we’ll let it.

Kendra

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Determine to change the atmosphere wherever you are by showing the love of Jesus through word and deed.