The Barefoot Evangelist

Read John 14:15-21 with your family.

Have you ever had someone you really love go away for a while? Maybe they moved to a different house, or went on a trip, or even just had to be somewhere you couldn’t go. It can feel a little strange, can’t it? Like something is missing, even if you know they still love you.

In this passage, Jesus is talking to his friends about something like that. He knows he won’t be with them in the same way much longer, and they’re worried. So he tells them something very important: “I will not leave you alone.” Another way to say that is, “You are not an orphan. You still belong.”

Jesus says that even when they can’t see him, his Spirit will be with them. Not like a ghost, and not in a scary way – but like a quiet, steady presence. Like when you remember someone’s voice and it helps you make a good choice. Or when you feel a little nudge inside to be kind, even when it’s hard. That’s love showing up.

And then Jesus says something else: if you love me, you will live that love. Not just say it, not just think it – but do it. So when you share, when you help, when you include someone who feels left out, when you choose kindness instead of being mean – that’s you being part of that love. That’s you showing that you’re not alone, and neither is anyone else.

So this week, here’s something to try: notice the moments when you feel that little nudge to do something kind. That’s not just you being nice. That’s love living through you. And every time you choose it, you are reminding the world of something very important:

You are not alone. And neither is anyone else

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