Loving Eddie's

“Love is patient, kind, not provoked, bears all things, endures all things...”- 1 Cor. 13

Who can forget Eddie from the movie Christmas vacation? We all laugh at his character- his outfits, his eating habits, and his Winnebago. We laugh because it probably reminds most of us of a family member- an uncle or a cousin- that matches Eddie’s personality. Okay, maybe not so drastic, but someone who doesn't exactly “fit.” And we wonder, how do we love that person?

In one of my favorite books and movie, “A River Runs Through It,” Rev. Maclean is reflecting back on his son Paul and says, “Each one of us here today will at one time in our lives look upon a loved one who is in need and ask the same question: We are willing to help, Lord, but what, if anything, is needed? For it is true we can seldom help those closest to us. Either we don't know what part of ourselves to give or, more often than not, the part we have to give is not wanted. And so it is those we live with and should know who elude us. But we can still love them - we can love completely without complete understanding.”

Be patient with moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and cousins. Let them be who they are. They may never change and probably feel the same way about you! Be kind to them without expecting anything in return. Don't be easily provoked. We know the topics that are probably coming around the dinner table. Let them go. I love my dad very much. I can remember the freedom that came with me accepting my father as he was. I remember, as a teenager, being bothered by the “country” outfits he wore. But I too remember, as he aged, letting that go and simply loving the man. Now I miss him in those outfits.

Bear all things in love. Simply love. Agape love. Unconditional love. No strings attached. Have no expectations. No comparison. No keeping score. No competing. Truth is, we’re all “Eddie’s” to somebody.

Pray for an accepting, caring heart and we’ll be able to love the “Eddie’s.”

by Joseph Staples ©