(This is a followup to Monday’s post on Mark 12:29-31)

On Sunday I watched Miss Virginia.

I’m not sure why she backed her car into her usual handicap parking space. After three or four tries, she got it in straight. She got out and walked into the church building, cane in one hand, briefcase in the other. She took her usual short steps. It was her usual 8:15.

As far as I know, she headed straight for the small classroom where she teaches Sunday school every Sunday, both at 9:00 and at 10:15. I didn’t see her as I did my usual Sunday morning running. This week it included setting up a table, using a leafblower on leaves that had gathered by a couple doors, and talking with a number of people. Oh yes, and making coffee.

I was active. I was quick. I covered way more territory than Miss Virginia on Sunday morning.

I happened to be in the hallway outside her classroom just before 9:00. There were three other people in the hallway. Miss Virginia was there, of course. In front of her, walking toward the room, almost to the door, was a woman about my age, carrying her doll. She usually does, a small stuffed doll. She comes with her mother who occasionally talks with me about not feeling like she is helping as much as she could. She said that to me one day after she had been in the hospital.

Miss Virginia was also walking toward the door, small steps, looking back. She was talking to a man, in his twenties I think. He has Down Syndrome. Miss Virgina will take her strength and teach a small class of people who use their strength. And they will love God with all they have.

Jesus wasn’t inviting us to perform feats of comparative strength, just love with all we have.