Love in Action

Being loved where we are and for who we are – that is how God loves us. Safe places for the heart hold this ingredient as essential in walking the journey to wholeness and healing. Leadership at Linwood House Ministries knows this is the model Jesus gave us and asks us to follow. We want it to permeate every detail of word and action here.

This week our friend L from Downtown Eastside was here for a few days. We also had a group of School District leaders here for an overnight business/brainstorming session.

In our partnering with DTES there is the balance of loving them as they are, where they are, and speaking the truth in love. We want them to feel safe here but also to see that it helps if they will step up and take responsibility. Gwen had our friend serving at meal time and she did a great job, and showed us some of the finer points to waiting on tables.

I watched Jesus model permeate this visit of all the guests this week. When the School District leaders took a break and went for a walk, they invited our DTES friend to join them. In the conversations they discovered one of the teachers had worked in L’s home town in the North. That evening when L made popcorn for herself, she also made a big bowl for the leaders! And they received it with the same joy with which L had prepared it for them.

L’s eyes were shining the next morning when she bounced into the kitchen to tell us about the popcorn. And when the business group was leaving their eyes were shining as they related how L had brought her gift to them the evening before.

This was love in action accepting, honoring, permeating and flowing to each one who enters into Linwood House.