“Humility reveals the power of love in the small events of everyday life.”
In the city on a busy street. When the pedestrian light turns green, the crowds rush forward. However, heavy rush hour traffic has caused a traffic jam, blocking the crosswalk. People push their way past the vehicles, but a wheelchair user cannot get through. So a driver reverses to make room. Just then, a father with a stroller makes his way behind him—and is just able to dodge out of the way to avoid being hit. Some passersby stop and yell at the driver, calling him an idiot. A woman with an extremely pleasant demeanor does not yell.
As the crowd hurries across the street, the woman speaks to some of the agitated passers-by in a friendly and pleasant voice, saying that the driver of the car only wanted to reverse to let the man in the wheelchair pass. She does this so lovingly and without any aggression or judgement that the people immediately calm down and obviously let go of their resentment for the moment. Their agitated expressions soften, and a slight smile appears on their faces. Full of joy, I thank God for this lesson in charity.
* * *
In the supermarket, the lines at the checkout stretch at least ten meters to the back between the shelves, and it’s not really moving. Some of the people waiting are nervous and impatient.
A voice inside me says, “Waiting can also be beautiful. Enjoy this moment and see what happens.”
Trustingly, I let go of everything around me and am overcome with such joy and love that I find it difficult not to hug the people around me one after the other, or rather all at once. My gaze wanders around… the situation has changed. It is quieter, the pushing and shoving has stopped, there is no more impatience to be seen, the stressed faces look relaxed.
Does devotion to love change the environment? Or is it an unchanged situation viewed with a heart touched by God? Do people behave differently now because the heavenly Father is pouring out His blessings? Either way, the little miracles of everyday life have become part of my life, and it is always a joy to participate in God’s loving service to humanity.
* * *
There was an unusually peaceful atmosphere on the crowded city bus. Despite the cramped conditions, the passengers were friendly and courteous, not a single harsh word could be heard, and everyone was patient with their neighbors. I was amazed by this and asked myself why.
“A true believer can change the atmosphere of a room, causing many souls to become peaceful and loving,” I heard—
and tried to locate the believer. When I couldn’t find them, the thought occurred to me that perhaps it was me, but I was ashamed of this, as I did not consider myself worthy of being called a true believer in my sinfulness.
I heard: “Only in the humble admission of one’s own sinfulness does the door in the heart of the soul open, from which spiritual life can reveal itself.”
* * *
In a poor village in Africa, I saw a father who had lovingly put his arm around his son. Their deep affection was reflected in their shining eyes. This sight, which was not really unusual, filled me with such bliss that my soul was suddenly set ablaze. Full of joy, I thought that all you really need to be happy is love; and how beautiful it is where love dwells, regardless of external circumstances.
* * *
I participated in a 10 km run with our younger daughter. It was her first long race. She fought to persevere and finish the run despite having a cold. She didn’t want to disappoint her dad – or herself. After we crossed the finish line hand in hand, we hugged each other tightly and the shared happiness after the previous exertion is unforgettable.
I have completed several marathons, but running with my daughter means more to me than many of my previous finishes. What a joy, what a blessing it is to be a father or mother, to give your children love and understanding, and to share experiences with them.
Thanks to the love for our daughters, I see deep into God’s heart. If a person already has such affection for their children, forgives them everything, stands by them in everything, how much more does our heavenly Father love us in his perfect love, giving himself to us in all our circumstances—when we look to him and open ourselves to him.
* * *
We are spending our vacation on the Atlantic coast. At the resort, some guests reserve sun loungers with their beach gear early in the morning, even though they don’t arrive until late morning. Many beachgoers leave because they can’t find a free spot. One family doesn’t arrive at their reserved sun loungers until around noon. I observe: a German couple with two adult daughters, primitive and arrogant in their remarks, which they express loudly and chain-smoking. They seem indifferent to the fact that they are
blocking the sun loungers in the morning. I consider whether to point this out to them, but it would certainly not be a pleasant conversation.
Silently, I turn to Jesus. He touches my heart and I am overcome with deep affection for this family. Even their not-so-pretty faces take on sympathetic features. In my mind, I see them as children of God, and He tenderly touches their souls, as a mother does with her beloved children.
This is how charity manifests itself. This is the path we can take: step back, open our hearts, and let divine love work in and through them. This can be spiritual gifts in the spoken word or in silent prayer, or material assistance of all kinds. When we no longer stand in our own way, we become the door through which our heavenly Father can enter the earth. With this way of life, one can spread many blessings.
* * *
At the grocery store, an elderly woman was unable to pay for all her groceries and sadly returned the items. I gently placed my hand on her shoulder and offered to pay the difference. She looked at me in disbelief, and the cashier also gave me a questioning look. After I paid, the woman gave me her blessing and wished me lifelong health. As I left the store, I had tears in my eyes from happiness that I could make someone happy. Jesus said, “What you did to this woman, you did to Me.” On the way home, I thought about His words and had to fight back even more tears of joy.
Giving is a blessing when one acts in union with Jesus, for then God’s gift is given through one—charity thus becomes a sacred act. But one must learn to give without expecting anything in return. If gratitude is not shown or helpfulness is taken advantage of, one must not withdraw from love. This can only be achieved if one places the welfare of one’s neighbor at the center of one’s actions. One must dare to take this step if one truly wants to walk the spiritual path and embark on the adventure of becoming a child of God.
* * *
A colleague of mine was going through a divorce and couldn’t pay her rent. I lent her half of my monthly salary so that she could make ends meet. When we went our separate ways, she was unable to repay the amount. I gave her my address and told her to pay me back when she was in a better financial position. I never heard from her again. Years later, I ran into her at a restaurant. I immediately sensed her guilty conscience. I gave her a warm hug and was genuinely happy to see her—especially that she had gotten back on her feet. I didn’t mention the money; it was and is my pleasure to have served love.
The mind likes to condemn such actions and calls it foolishness not to get what is rightfully yours. From a worldly point of view, this perspective is legitimate. From a divine point of view, however, it looks different. Selfless deeds that transcend earthly privilege and material self-interest manifest God’s powers of blessing and bring about liberation everywhere.
But the desire for God’s grace for oneself should not be the reason for doing good deeds. Only unconditional love for the Father should be the motive; only the beauty of love brings joy to the child of God. No money in the world, no material wealth, no earthly sensual gratification can bring the bliss that rests in the life of God. No words can describe what the Father gives to the children who love him more than the transitory splendor of this world.
* * *
Today I worked in the kitchen of a friend’s restaurant and earned 120 DM. On the way home, an old woman asks me if I have a mark to spare for her, as she cannot afford to buy anything to eat because of her high rent. My heart almost bursts with compassion, so I give her 100 DM and keep 20 for myself. She can hardly believe it and says excitedly, “That there are still people like that!” and gives me a warm hug. I am just as happy as she is, if not more so, and am deeply grateful for this stroke of luck.
Only when worldly wisdom is left out of the picture can the heart truly practice charity. Of course, one should not give away all one’s money, but one is guided in such a way that one can give in the right measure, even if earthly rational thinking may not readily accept this. And it is better to give a little more often than too little once.
Acts of charity can only unfold their divine effect if they are not put in the spotlight – unless God so desires. At this point, the examples should bear witness to the fact that the Father fills his child with his Spirit and dwells in him when he serves love rather than material self-interest. Here, God’s Word is fulfilled truly and vividly. He is love and life. Without him, nothing; with him, everything. My life belongs to Jesus Christ. In him, I am indescribably happy.
* * *
Gifts of faith
“When one is irritated or perplexed by the things that happen on the way to God, you are not yet firm enough in your faith.”
Tollwood Festival in Munich
As we enter the festival grounds, we hear the old Supertramp songs coming from the music arena, and I say to my companion, “It brings back memories of the 70s,” and secretly think how nice it would be to be at this concert now… but unfortunately, it’s sold out. In my heart, I look at God lovingly, demanding, questioning— like a small child begging his parents with his eyes for a toy in a shop window—whether there might be a way to attend the concert after all.
We stroll through the tents and stands and discover a friend in the beer garden. As we greet her, we learn that it’s her birthday and congratulate her warmly. She says, “Would you two like Supertramp tickets as a gift? We have some, but we’d rather stay here and celebrate outdoors.”
I look at her in disbelief and then say slowly, “Uh… really?!” while she hands us the tickets and wishes us a wonderful concert experience. Of course, we go straight to the music tent and Jesus speaks through Roger Hodgson: “Give a little bit of your love to me…”
In this way, the Father brings joy in many ways and also fulfills earthly desires, provided that their fulfillment does not harm his children and that they recognize his affection and love in the gifts.
* * *
A week’s camping holiday in Italy. According to the weather forecast, it is supposed to rain and be cool during this particular week, with bad weather predicted especially for the first few days. On the way there, it rains so hard that at times we can’t see anything and can only move forward slowly. Meanwhile, I talk to Jesus about a wide variety of topics, and with regard to the weather forecast, I put on my childlike heart’s perspective.
He says, “It is not people who are responsible for the weather, but I; as in all things in life, I have the final say here too.”
As we approach our vacation destination, the sky clears up and by the time we arrive, it is almost cloudless. We spend a wonderful afternoon at the beach and eat outside in front of our caravan in the evening. Only when we go to bed does it start to drizzle, and then it rains all night. In the morning, the sun shines through the window into the sleeping cabin and glorious weather awaits us. From the third day onwards, it no longer rains at night, and except for one day, the following days are bathed in warm sunlight against a bright blue sky.
Through such experiences, the Father reveals that He wants to give joy at all times. He lovingly says to His
child, “Because you have given Me your love, My love also belongs to you.”
On the last day of our vacation, we clean the caravan we rented locally and then go to the beach to enjoy a few more pleasant hours there. Since our old parasol is already badly tattered, we decide to buy a new one here. I want to take my wallet out of my beach bag… and can’t find it. Even a thorough search of the caravan doesn’t turn it up. On the way back to the beach, a gentle voice accompanies me: “You are clairvoyant, so you
should know where the wallet is!”
I search my mind and find it in the beach bag—I had indeed overlooked it. “Yes, there it is!” says my spiritual companion, delighted with my successful display. On the beach, I open the bag and gratefully take the wallet.
* * *
Vacation in Thailand
While swimming in the sea, I suddenly get a strong urge to get out of the water immediately. I think, “What could possibly happen to me? There are no currents here and probably no sharks either,” and continue swimming. Seconds later, I feel a sharp pain in my foot. I quickly return to the beach, where my foot is already visibly swollen and burning. When locals examine me, it turns out that I have been stung by a sea urchin.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time I had ignored a spiritual warning – and then either something happened to me or someone else. In future, I will listen to it more carefully.
* * *
My wife and I visit the Lake Festival in Bregenz. Rain is forecast for this evening, but the outdoor performance will go ahead anyway. I ask Jesus that we may experience the performance without getting wet. As we take our seats, it starts to drizzle lightly and an estimated 99% of the approximately 6,000 visitors hastily put on their rain jackets and plastic capes; with their pointed hoods, they form a funny-looking sea of dwarfs. My neighbor on the right is now also dressed like this and looks at me questioningly, as I am sitting there in just a T-shirt. I kindly tell him that it won’t rain. He looks at me pityingly, because pitch-black clouds hang menacingly over our heads. To reinforce my belief, I don’t put on my jacket. Shortly afterwards, the rain stops abruptly and not a single drop falls to the ground for the next two hours.
I’m not really a classic opera fan and am actually here for my wife’s sake. During the performance, I therefore turn to Jesus.
He says, “Pray!”
“Who should I pray for?”
“For all the people in this arena.”
“But that’s a lot of people!”
“I give my children unlimited power of prayer.”
My heart is touched, filled with God’s love, and I pray fervently for all those present.
Then Jesus says, “You have been given redeeming prayer for the whole earth. When your time comes, your prayers will reveal My mercy and bring relief to the earth and to many souls in their travail.”
* * *