A friend's Shoreline church is nearing the end of three months spent hosting Tent City. In opening their hearts and community to those in need, they found that remarkable things happened. Relationships were formed as complete strangers learned to care for one another. Volunteer medical professionals came forward to help with health needs. Meals were cooked and bread was broken in community. People who normally didn't talk discovered how much they held in common. People extended themselves in unselfish acts of love and were rewarded with new meaning and purpose in their lives.
As he described the transformational effect of Tent City in his community, I shared that I'd seen similar things with Real Change. While our original intent was modest -- a low threshold employment opportunity and a platform for poor people's organizing -- the result was much more far-reaching. Real Change, I said, is an enormous web of human relationships. At the core of this community are those who are driven by unconditional love, and the warmth radiates outward in transformative waves of kindness and caring.
"In Christian terms," said my friend, "love is what it's all about."
"With a capital A," I said, "It's what it's All about."
St. Paul's words on love are read at most Christian weddings, but they're about more than matrimony. "Love is patient and kind. Love envies no one, is never boastful, never conceited, never rude; love is never selfish, never quick to take offense. Love keeps no score of wrongs, takes no pleasure in the sins of others, but delights in the truth. There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope, its endurance."
Love feeds. Love strengthens. Love forgives weakness and creates strength. Love is revolutionary.