So we stood outside of the church holding signs telling bikers that Jesus loves them. A few ignored us, or at least rode by without seeming to notice. Most got big, goofy grins on their faces as they passed. Whether some of them thought we were a joke doesn't matter. We touched them anyway. There were hundreds of them - mostly rough looking characters on Harley Davidsons. Some were dressed as Santa. Some had toys strapped to the handlbars. One had a chihuahua in his jacket. Watching their faces crinkle up was too much fun. The kids got a kick out of it too.
After the parade we went in for Communion, the first served by our new minister. She seems to be good stuff. She brought her bread machine and set it up beside the communion table before the service, and the bread was ready just in time. Very cool. Afterwards I talked to her about the biker parade and told her that I saw a moral dilemma in my decision to take my class to greet the bikers. She said she felt the same way when she heard that it was the plan for the morning. She said her perspective is that Jesus loves everyone, even if he doesn't love everything they do. The way things timed out, I didn't get to talk with the kids about the issue. Next week we will start with that conversation.
Big goofy grins. Ha! I just kept thinking, no matter what's in a person's heart, or what a person has done or will do, there are reasons in that person's heart for what he or she has done. Also, there's a chance that some time in the future, that person may have an experience or a change of heart and end up taking a turn towards goodness. In the meantime, why not remind that person that he or she is loved?
Question: Did anyone tell you today?
mompoet - feeling okay about loving probable participants in organized crime
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