Just kidding. I don’t know how to Jesus, but my husband does.

I’ve seen him Jesus many times.

One time at a drive-thru, it took us longer to order our food than the lady behind us could tolerate. It was hot, and she had her car door open screaming and cussing at us creatively. I just hoped our girls assumed she wasn’t speaking English. She cursed with fiery skill even while we ordered. My husband remained silent. Sometimes when he gets angry he becomes silent, but he didn’t seem angry at all… He just pulled forward to the window to pay, and that’s when I heard him say, I’d like to pay for the lady behind us, too.

And just like that, I fell in love with him,  and our awesome God, all over again. He serves the God who wages war with peace.

And the God of peace will soon crush satan under your feet.

~ Romans 16:20

 

Another time was at a restaurant where our waiter seemed to hate us… No wonder, it was Sunday, the worst day of the week for tips. After receiving only half, or in some cases, the opposite of what we ordered, and sharing our silverware, I was already curious to see how my husband would Jesus, because I knew he would…Sure enough. He doubled the tip.

Pursue the things of peace…Don’t destroy the work of God for the sake of food.

~  Romans 14:19-20

 

Then there was the time a family member sharply insulted him on the phone and hung up. Normally, that would cause a family rift the size of the San Andreas Fault, but my husband knows how to Jesus. He never even said a word. The next time he saw that person, it was as if the conversation hadn’t even taken place…And he was kinder than ever.

…Keep a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed…

~ 1 Peter 3:16

 

We enjoy tremendous peace because my husband knows how to Jesus. He’s not passive; he writes effective letters to government officials and business owners, and advocates for moral issues with his money. But as long as it depends on him, he lives at peace with everyone. I’m not sure how he does it, really. I’m a hot mess, highly reactive, always mopping up after myself…but my husband loves Jesus.

His loyalty to Jesus causes him to represent Him well, like an ambassador.

…For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…

~ 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

 

That’s so much more fun than setting people straight. I’m quick on the draw when it comes to setting people straight, and it leaves me feeling yucky, but my husband knows how to Love.

Every situation is an opportunity for us Christians to represent our Savior well by imitating His unexpected, jaw-dropping Love.

Be imitators of God…and walk in love, just as Christ loved us…

~ Ephesians 5:1-2

 

He extends that kind of love even inside our home.

Our daughter Selah is extremely responsible, but one afternoon I noticed her homework folder lying on the table. With only a couple hours of school left, it seemed ludicrous to take it to her. I told my husband it was just too bad, she needed to learn her lesson, but reaching for his car keys he said, She’s already learned her lesson. She needs to know she’s loved.

That’s the whole point of everything, isn’t it? We get so caught up in trying to set people straight, we forget why we’re here…to show people they’re Loved.

Loving everyone like Jesus does, understanding our position in Him as bearers of good news and trusting Him with the rest. It’s how to have a good day.

It’s how to Jesus.