Last night we attended the end of the year Senior night for cross country.

They made one of those awesome (corny) slideshow videos with sappy songs and pictures of the kids from when they were babies until now (I’m not crying, you’re crying!)

I couldn’t help but think of the quote – a baby is born with a need to feel loved, and never outgrows it.

High schoolers don’t really let on to this, but they all have that same need to feel loved.

You could see it on their faces – from babies to 18 year old “grown ups” – they are looking to find who is in their corner and who loves them.

Christ suggested that we “love our neighbor as ourselves” – I think this is what he meant. That when someone looks at you to see if you are in their corner and if you love them they would be able to see a resounding yes.

Most of our interactions don’t go this deep. We’re used to living and operating at a superficial level. At guarding ourselves against the person or people who would take advantage of our “being in their corner and loving them”.

Christ’s challenge is to take that risk. To show that senior cross country kid that we love them and are in their corner.

It’s hard. It doesn’t always go well. It sometimes breaks your heart. You can and will get taken advantage of.

But it’s worth it (in my opinion – you get to decide for yourself).

Go past the normal. Take some risks. Give more hugs. Smile more. Be the person to step out let others know you are in their corner and love them.

Make it a great day.

Jake