October 20
Scripture: Matt 5:47
Source author: Jill Thompson
October 20
Go Directly to Jail If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. —Matthew 5:47
I snuggled the afghan over the shoulders of the distressed boy. Both of us peered intently through my family room window. In the darkness, police lights rhythmically slashed their way across my neighbor’s garage. “Was your mom fighting with your stepdad again, honey?” “Y-yeah. She’s been out all night drinking.” Over the muffled sounds of cursing and the thud of her feet against the cruiser’s windowpane, I explained to the officer who I was and that I would keep the woman’s son for the night. “When you’re ready to release her, just give me a call.” I’d never seen the inside of the local lockup. But at 3 a.m. I went to jail to pick up the volatile girl from next door and bring her home with me. It was risky. It was inconvenient. And it was scary to get involved. But if I show love to only those who love me, what reward is there for that? That night my heart led me directly to jail—and I followed.
Love in a way that those who don’t know God will see your kindness and know Him because of you. — Jill Thompson —