“I don’t know how to explain Bob’s love except to say it is utterly & delightfully devastating.”

I hadn’t even made it through the introduction but I knew this book was going to be one of those that becomes a landmark along my life’s journey. I kept reading. That first sitting I read a third of the book before I stopped. Then I went & wrote four pages in my journal, texted a couple of friends with encouragement, & asked a few others to answer some tough questions for me.

It was a short sentence on page 7 that really got me “I wasn’t a project; I was his friend.”

Convicted.

My strategic process wired brain oftentimes causes me to approach friendships like they’re projects. I truly love my friends, but I also can’t stop trying to help that grow/fix their problems/figure life out/etc. I made a resolution right then to be intentional about not approaching friendships like projects. To listen without providing answers. To spend more time encouraging than admonishing.

(The really honest truth is that I approach friendships like projects because oftentimes being able to help people figure out a problem makes me feel valuable…like I have worth in that friendship…but that’s another post for another time.)

A great story is one that causes me to reflect on my own, write my own, & live my own. Love Does left me inspired to strive to be known for more than just loving Jesus. Don’t get me wrong, I want to love Jesus. But, I want to be known for loving others with everything I am because I love Jesus with everything I am. I want to live it not just say it. Practice it not just study it.

What story have you read recently that has marked your life’s journey?