Estimated reading time: 3 minute(s)

So… I was listening to a song on the way to play some basketball this morning… and the words just slammed me in the face with the "power of love" (and no, I don’t mean the Huey Lewis version…)

Listen…

What I Would Say She was a lovely girl, a charming brown-eyed beauty You were the bright young man who swept her off her feet The high school class ring soon became a wedding band And you went off to sail the seas for Uncle Sam But they say it was the demon in the bottle That took you far away never to return And you never knew your son would be my father And now sometimes I think about you and I wonder If I could talk to you what words would I choose

OK… so that part is the set up… but here’s the part that WHACKED me. Oh wait… this song is written by Steven Curtis Chapman to his grandpa, whom he never met… OK… now… here’s the chorus (and the rest of the song):

I would say I wish I could have known you And I would say I wish you would have stayed But most of all I would say I forgive you I know your love was strong I read it in your letters I read how hard you tried to break free from the chains I know we all could say how you should have done better And wear our anger and resentment like a fetter But that’s why I would say this to you if I could I would say I wish I could have known you And I would say I wish you would have stayed But most of all I would say I forgive you I’d love to tell you how the lovely girl you married She’s been my hero and a treasure to us all I know you’d be proud of the way your name’s been carried These are things I would love to tell you if I could I would say I wish I could have known you And I would say I wish you would have stayed But most of all I would say I forgive you I wish you were here to hear what I would say written by Steven Curtis Chapman ©1996 Sparrow Song / Peach Hill Songs (BMI) (admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Wow. Seriously. That was not what I was expecting to hear or think about this morning.. but emotionally stirred inside, I said outloud to God, "Love is SO powerful!"

It is amazing. The way that it can melt us. Just to hear this story about a guy who messed up his life and his families life, and then to hear the forgiveness, driven by love… it’s amazing.

WE know that love through Jesus… giving up his life in heaven to DIE on a large piece of wood… to say "I love you… and I forgive you…" And everytime we see that happen in life, whether we are the forgiver, forgivee or just an observer, we see the power of love in action all over again.

A friend of mine messed up some stuff recently. He’s in a world of hurt. And really, he is in more hurt because of the way he is being treated about it. There is some pretty stuff being thrown at him that he doesn’t really deserve. And unfortunately, it’s all by other Jesus-followers. 🙁 What if, instead of righteous indignation (or perhaps, self-righteous would be a better label?) … what if… just maybe… some of the above forgiveness was shown? What if the other Jesus-followers would use the power of love to melt the broken and/or sinful and/or stubborn hearts (of everyone involved) and see healing and restoration happen?

What if…

I am just blown away by the power of love today… (and unfortunately I’m going to be singing that all day, too!!)

I hope you get a chance to melt someone’s heart today with the power of love. In forgiveness, in mercy, in compassion, in affection, in encouragement, in praise… however you do it… just do it.