Elevated Friday, October 12th, 2018

Happy Elevated Friday! Today we highlight the story of an innkeeper in Myrtle Beach, SC who has made an enormous difference in his community after Hurricane Florence. Jaret Hucks owns the Midtown Inn and Cottages and in the weeks since Hurricane Florence hit has given away over 1,000 nights in his hotel to poor and vulnerable families – and their pets! So many free nights equals over $50,000 in lost revenue for Hucks, but he doesn’t see it that way. As Jaret said, “Love thy neighbor, right? That’s what you’re supposed to do. My mama taught me that a long time ago.” To help with the costs and upkeep of the hotel, many families have offered to help with housekeeping and many others have donated diapers, ice, food, and clothes. Jaret Hucks is showing his community exactly the kind of love that Jesus did to his.

Loving thy neighbor is easy when it just means not saying or thinking mean things about others or is convenient for us in our daily schedule. But when it affects our pocketbook, or even our means of living, that is a different case. Consider what you would do if loving your neighbor in their time of need meant forgoing your own salary for a period of time? Such a sacrifice is seldom required, but when it is, even more rare to find. Jesus told his followers that the second most important commandment is, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Part of being a Christian is being prepared to sacrifice for the betterment of others. Today, pray for the courage and fortitude to sacrifice for others when God tells you they need it.

“The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” – Mark 21:31 ASV

Original Article:

https://bit.ly/2E9jm37