A few months ago I shared my “Interreview” of Picking Dandelions: A Search for Eden Among Life’s Weeds by Sarah Cunningham. Among other things in the book, Sarah recounts her experiences going to serve in New York City after the terrorist attacks on 9/11. I’ll admit that this section of the book wasn’t what struck me when I read it. But I was in Chicago recently with Sarah and she had been caught up in a flurry of radio interviews, article requests, and phone calls asking for her thoughts about the recent plans to build a mosque in New York City.

What an opportunity to respond well to controversy very much in the public eye, to a situation where people are likely just waiting to point the finger at Christians for being unloving. What an opportunity to do just the opposite and love…love as Jesus would love…love our enemies…yes, even go so far as to pray for them.

Loving and serving selflessly doesn’t usually come easy for many of us. But, it’s amazing how naturally those things flow when we find ourselves in the middle of crisis and turmoil. My prayer is that we learn to love well and respond accordingly…even to controversial issues…even to our enemies, whether that be the current situation in New York or our neighbor whose dog keeps us up at night and whose kids throw garbage on our lawn. And let’s not wait for a disaster to do so.

*If you want to read more of Sarah’s response to the current situation in New York check out this article or her blog.

*Haven’t read Picking Dandelions: A Search for Eden Among Life’s Weeds yet? Starting September 13th you can download the electronic version for FREE on Amazon. If you are like me and prefer the real paper and ink kind of book, you can buy it here