Love Shows Up

Focus Statement

Love shows up not to impress, perform, or fix—

but to be fully present.

It listens. It lingers. And in doing so, it transforms.

Point of Relation

I once shared a stage—briefly—with Eddie Brigatti of The Young Rascals.

He sang at a wedding I was officiating, and yes, it was surreal.

A 60s legend in a Methodist sanctuary,

rocking and crooning with his wife Susan while I stood there in a robe,

trying not to fanboy too hard.

I had to pinch myself afterward.

We even hung out at the reception—

and later at other events.

What struck me most wasn’t his voice.

It was how present he was. No fanfare. No ego.

Just a guy who showed up with love.

That’s the spirit of “Groovin’”—not striving, just being.

It echoes Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13:

love that’s patient and kind, not scorekeeping or performative, but protective, trusting, hopeful, and enduring.

That kind of love can’t be rushed. It doesn’t need a checklist.

It just shows up.

Things to Consider

Friends, let me ask you:

what if love isn’t about doing more—but being more present?

Also, where is Jesus asking you to stop, listen, and simply show up?

What Scripture Says

Jesus enters the home of two sisters—

Martha, the doer, and Mary, the listener.

Martha’s busy, flustered, serving him.

Doing the right thing. But Mary?

She’s sitting still at Jesus’ feet, soaking in his every word.

That doesn't sit well with Martha, so she does what we do—she complains.

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?

Tell her to help me!”

But Jesus doesn’t.

Instead, he says,

“Martha, Martha…

you are worried and upset about many things,

but only one thing is needed.

Mary has chosen what is better,

and it will not be taken from her.”

This moment isn’t just about a chore list.

It’s about social roles.

Mary wasn’t helping in the kitchen—

not just out of preference, but defiance.

She chose to sit where disciples sit, to learn where women weren’t usually invited.

Martha’s frustration wasn’t just personal—it was cultural.

Mary had stepped out of place, and that stirred both irritation and shame.

But Jesus doesn’t scold her.

He defends her.

He affirms that love shows up where it’s least expected—

not with polished service, but with presence.

This isn’t a dig at hard work—

it’s a holy reset.

Because presence is the priority.

Love starts with listening.

And sometimes the most faithful thing we can do…

is stop doing.

What This Means for You

Friends, here’s what this means for you:

You don’t have to earn love by overextending yourself.

Jesus isn’t measuring your worth in tasks.

He just wants you—fully present, listening, loved.

What This Means for Us

In a world that glorifies hustle,

the Church must model presence.

Not noise. Not performance.

Love shows up,

slows down,

and makes space for grace.

Because the people around us—

our neighbors, our children, the newly baptized—

don’t need a perfect church.

They need a present one.

They need us—showing up with love that listens, stays, and sees them.

Amen? Amen.

Written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT (OpenAI).