Love John

by John Leavitt

I thought I had it all figured out on what I would write about this time. I had planned to write about my best friend and in a way, I will be.

However this article will be about a found love. You see a little over 20 years ago I accepted Christ.

I know that that before I accepted Christ, I was willing to accept almost anything as far as a religion goes. You see, I had suffered the loss of many friends and uncles that I loved dearly. I also had many other situations and circumstances that I needed answers for the pain I had felt over the years. I’d had enough.

I remember saying out loud and thinking there has to be meaning to this life, otherwise why would I be here.

One day I cried out, “I want to know the true God, I want to know who, what or if anything I am to believe in.”  I heard within me, “No one comes to the Father except through Christ Jesus the Son.” I didn’t know where it came from at the time or even that it was in the Bible, but I do now.

A while later I was asked to go to church by a good friend’s mother.

I had been to church many times but this time was different, maybe because I was seeking the truth. Shortly after attending church, I asked Christ into my heart. I will admit early on I wondered if I had made the right decision.

My best friend said about me at that time, “You won’t see a difference in John.” He was right in many ways. I still had good morals and tried to live a good life in helping others anyway I could.

One way he may have been wrong though, would be in my motive. Though for the most part I did a lot of things with a pure heart, I still wanted my back scratched and some glory.  You see, I did many things hoping to bring attention to myself or to make me feel good.  But at that time there was a change that took place in my heart. I started to feel a love that was not there before.

A love I wanted to share as life started to make sense to me.

I want to let you know that I still don’t have everything figured out and don’t have all the answers to all of life’s questions. However I do believe the answer starts with love.

I have learned that I am to do things out of love. My relationship with Christ lets me know I’m not to thump you over the head with my bible or even kill you as some religions do if you don’t share the same faith. I am to love you regardless and I’m good with that. I am allowed my opinions and you’re allowed yours.

I don’t have to like or agree with everything you say or do. If you happen to disagree with me, contact me any way you’d like. I’m even open to talk over coffee or a walk on the beach as long as I can still take pictures.

I know in my relationship with Christ, I feel and have a love so deep within me I can’t explain it. Over the years Christ has become my best friend. I still have my moments of being human and make my share of mistakes and yet he still loves me through them all. He then helps turn them in to growth experiences that result in a deeper understanding on how to love people and life even more.  Love, John

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“Heart of Stone” Photo was taken at Rialto Beach. Photo by John Leavitt

I can be reached by e-mail at johnkleavitt@hotmail.com or 360-640-9186.