I love loving on others. I do. I have always said that if I have to learn something or try something or brave something in order to love someone better, then I'm game for it. (Actually, it's how I've learned to do most of the things that I know how to do in life.)
And I'm always looking for ways to love on other folk. I'm looking for the opportunities to do good in the world, quietly. I'm looking for the ways to make a difference without taking credit for it. I'm always paying attention to what's going on around me, to what others are engaged in, to the things that they like.
There's a coworker of mine who thinks I'm always trying to take a part of whatever she's getting into - food, lotion, whatever - because I tend to hover. But I tend to hover because I'm making mental notes. Because I know that some day, the opportunity is going to present itself to love on her in some way when she most needs it, and when that opportunity arises, I will have a catalogue of memories and information about her to draw on to know just what she likes.
I have that kind of information about almost everyone. It's been five years since I worked with one very good friend, but I still remember her kids' birthdays every year. I know that one of my coworkers is on a very restricted diet, so there are things I simply couldn't ever offer her. I know that this person loves the color pink, but that one hates it, and that my niece just changed her favorite color a week ago (again). I know the scents that you wear, the foods you can't stand, the little things you keep getting yourself just because they make you smile. I know the thing you've had your eye on forever, the one you've been talking about but haven't brought yourself to splurge on yet.
Because the day is coming when I'm going to get to love on you, and I want to be ready.
It's one of the ways that I'm like my Father.
Jeremiah tells us that God enjoys doing good to His people. (32:41) This may have been hard to hear from the prophet who was telling the people all about their captivity in Babylon, about how God was sending them away to exile because of their unfaithfulness, about how their kings were going to die and only a remnant was going to be left. This may have been hard to hear from the same guy who kept telling you that your life was basically over, while also trying to tell you to go ahead and start building your new life because God was going to prosper you in this new place that you never wanted to be.
The same God Jeremiah has been prophesying about is the God who likes doing good to His people?
Indeed, He is.
That's why He tells them to build their houses. It's why He tells them to plant their crops. It's why He tells them to pray for the peace and prosperity of the place they are living in exile...because when Babylon has peace and prosperity, Israel will, too. The people of God will, too.
Because God is doing good to them even in a cursed place. He is blessing them even in discipline, even in punishment. He still loves doing good to them - thriving them - even in a place they were never meant to be. He loves doing good.
Because He loves them.
And He loves loving on them.
And He loves loving on us.
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