Shannon’s SCW Blog

Yesterday I twittered about how I was eating some bing cherries that one of my BLAST participants sent me for Christmas – you know, the dried cherries that are dipped in rich milk chocolate and then covered with a red chocolate shell.  I can down those things like there’s no tomorrow!

In fact, last Christmas Eve, I downed way too many bing cherries, and they came back up again at 4 a.m.!  Mr. Claus didn’t expect to be holding Mrs. Claus’ hair out of her face while she puked her bing cherry guts up, but that’s how we spent our Christmas morning 2008.  I remember feeling so loved by Greg’s compassion in my time of crisis, but I have assured him that I’m trying to exercise more moderation this year!

Then I received this video clip from a friend this morning, and I laughed until I almost spewed milk from my nose.  Take a look, laugh hysterically too, and then I’ll bring my thoughts on why “Love Stinks” full circle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhmL_wSkBZQ

Okay, that may be a little gross… or more accurately VERY gross… but it makes my point perfectly.  It’s funny how we envision “love” or “romance” as a bunch of rose petals and champagne flutes and flickering candles and maybe a hot tub or a cheesy heart-shaped bed with mirrors on the ceiling.  When we think of “love” we don’t think of washing the skid marks out of our husband’s underwear, or holding someone’s hair out of their face while they’re vomiting, or pointing out the spinach in their teeth or a booger in their nose.  But isn’t that what love really is?  To be there for a person in their most awkward time of need?  To gently point things out that they surely wouldn’t want the rest of the world to see?  To come alongside someone to help clean up life’s little messes, no matter how much they stink?

That’s exactly what Jesus did.  He boldly placed his hands directly on the leper’s skin to bring comfort and complete healing.  He compassionately broke the news to the woman at the well that she was looking for love in all the wrong places and developing quite the reputation in the process.  Jesus reached into a rotting grave and brought Lazarus from death back to life again with two simple words: “Come Forth!”  He washed His disciples’ smelly feet, and my guess is that they had some pretty nasty toe jam after all of that walking around in the desert in leather sandals. 

Jesus knew that “love stinks.”  But He didn’t care.  He chose to put up with the stench, and love people anyway.  And that’s why we still celebrate Him two-thousand years later.  Because we know He loves us like crazy, no matter how badly our sin reeks. 

So as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday, let’s honor Him by loving others the way He loves us!

What are some un-stereotypical ways you can show love to your husband and children this holiday season?