Love in Work Clothes
LOVE IN WORK CLOTHES
Land o’ Goshen, Buttercup, come on up here and mind that there porch step. A possum has been ‘a‑sneakin’ under it like he is ‘a‑plottin’ a government takeover, and I don’t need you and that possum gettin’ into a stare‑down you can’t win. Pull up a chair that leans just enough to keep you humble, and let’s sit a spell. I was just ‘a‑watchin’ a baby goat ‘a‑tryin’ to jump on a stump three times taller than its confidence. It kept fallin’ over like a turtle ‘a‑tryin’ to tap dance, and I thought, “Ain’t that just like us, ‘a‑talkin’ about love but not always ‘a‑livin’ it out.”
First John 3:18 says, “Don’t love with words only but with actions and truth.” Real love has legs on it. It don’t just sit there ‘a-smellin’ sweet like a honeysuckle vine. It’s ‘a-gitting up and ‘a-gittin’ to work.
These past months, we done got ourselves a big ol’ answer to prayer. After ankle-replacement surgery, hospitals, rehab, and in‑home recovery, my husband, Sam, is finally ‘a-gettin’ around so much better. One afternoon, I put my hand on his arm and said, “I’m real glad you’re ‘a-doin’ so much better. You’re ‘a-walkin’ through the grocery store without even ‘a‑usin’ the ridin’ buggy.” He looked at me like a skeptical ol’ barn cat, and said, “You really are ‘a‑feelin’ like that?” I said, “Yes sir, we’re ‘a‑workin’ to help you keep on ‘a‑goin’ and ‘a‑servin’ the Lord.”
Then, he asked, “How do you keep on ‘a‑puttin’ up with me?” And I told him the truth. “Well, my schedule might be ‘a-changin’ a little pretty soon, but yes, I’d do it all again.”
Buttercup, ‘a-helpin’ him shuffle down the hall may not be real glamorous, but it sho’‑nuff is holy. Love ain’t no feelin’ you fall into like a mud puddle. Love is somethin’ you do. It’s somethin’ you gotta choose over an’ over, even when it’s inconvenient or ‘bout as fun as tryin’ to bathe a crazy, feral cat.
Real love done rearranges its schedules quicker than a rooster ‘a‑realizin’ he done overslept the sunrise. Real love done serves behind the scenes without even ‘a‑bein’ seen, like that sneaky barn cat ‘a‑cleanin’ up the mouse population. Real love shows up when ain’t nobody clappin’.
And the body of Christ needs more of that there love. We’re ‘a‑needin’ to be encouragin’, ‘a‑liftin’, and ‘a-helpin’ each other like a herd of cows ‘a‑nudgin’ the slow lil’ baby calf along. Mercy sakes alive, ‘a‑showin’ love might mean ‘a‑bein’ there when someone is ‘a‑needin’ a meal, a ride, a prayer, or just ‘a-listenin’ ear that ain’t ‘a-judgin’ ‘em like a barnyard rooster ‘a‑checkin’ out a new hen.
Love is sho’-nuff’ a real choice you gotta live out every single day in them there real small, ordinary, sacrificial ways.
Father, help me be a lovin’ with my hands and feet, not just my mouth. Help me be ‘a-seein’ needs, ‘a-servin’ gladly, and ‘a-showin’ Your love in real, practical ways. Be ‘a‑shapin’ my heart to love like You love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Well, now, goodness gracious, Butterbean, that there ought’a give your heart somethin’ worth chewin’ on longer than an ol’ mule ‘a-workin’ through a bucket of sweet corn. Now, go on out there and be ‘a‑lettin’ your love be ‘a-walkin’, ‘a-servin’, and ‘a-shinin’ so folks can be ‘a‑seein’ the light o’ Jesus in you.
With joy,
Gwen
