Home » ARH Writes » ARH Words » Their Words » "So Simple"

“So Simple”

September 2, 2022
Photo courtesy of Canva Pro

“I have heard how you are taking care of my son, and I have never known such a love. I want to be saved.”

~ A dying mother

Share This

There it is. The beginning and the end. I have never known such a love and I want to be saved. You just read the whole mission of our lives in one sentence. When I read it for the first time in Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love, the simplicity of it took my breath away. He spoke about a woman on a mission to Tanzania with little money and no plan who fell in love with a child and filled the gap for his mother who was dying. One act of love for one person. I got goosebumps when I read that dying mother’s words to her.

As he told their story, that one line brought instant clarity to me. I have searched many years for simple statements with great impact that defined why we are here. Why I am here. The search is over. It just doesn’t get simpler than that. To show someone a love like they have never known so they can be saved. Wow. Why do I make it so complicated?

Why do I think I need to be a Bible scholar fully prepared with all the answers? Why do I need to fill my calendar overflowing to attend all the events and reach all the people? Why do I push so hard for people to hear my words when all they need is to see my love? It really isn’t complicated, so why does it seem so hard to do?

This story is of a woman I have never heard of that did just one thing. She loved a child that was in a horrible situation with the most effortless act. She fed him. Her name is not in history books, and she doesn’t lead thousands of people. But the words that dying mother spoke to her demonstrated the unbelievable power of love in action.

She didn’t preach salvation to her. She didn’t invite her to Sunday school. She didn’t get her connected to a small group. These are all wonderful things, but they are extra. Those are not necessarily hard things, but it didn’t have to be even that hard. I often miss the most straightforward answer for the toughest questions. How do you save a life?

Why do I try to complicate it all when in its most basic form, love really is all I need? His love shown to another like He has shown to me. His love for me is how I came to know Him, and that is how they will know us. They will know us by our love. So simple.

Shannon Leach is a slice-of-life encouragement writer and the owner of A Repurposed Heart and ARH Inspirations. Her authentic stories and books about leadership, life, and loving people focus on encouraging others and reminding them they are not alone. Her work can also be found in Guideposts and multiple Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and is the co-founder of the nonprofit The Fostered Gift.
Leave a Reply
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Similar Posts
Read More
“Hitting the Mark”
In the times that we live in, it is nice to be able to have a conversation about the good things that are going on in the world.
Read More
“Beyond Words”
There are people in this world that do unspeakable things, stealing the voices of those who can never forget. We must keep shining light for those who can't speak.
Read More
“This Little Light of Mine”
There are days when it seems our impact is so insignificant. We can never forget the power the light has over the dark.
Read More
“Wednesdays With Sarah”
Are you involved in a community that supports your work? Being with others who support you and what you love matters.
© 2022 Shannon Leach, A Repurposed Heart

 Designed by ARH Inspirations
Copyright Disclaimer
crossmenu
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram