This Is How I Love

(For Our Missionaries)

I love

Not by standing here

Waiting for you to come to me

But by traveling across miles

Across continents

To a land unknown to me.

I love

Not by showing you my culture

But by seeing yours.

Wearing your clothes,                          

Eating your food.

I love

Not by knowing everything

But by knowing the humility

That comes by learning your language. 

I love

Not by shouting to thousands

But by looking for one precious soul

To show God's love.

I love

Not for the reward of your love for me

But for the hope that you will

Arise and shine –

And knowing that a little one

Shall become a thousand

And a nation will come and worship.