Love wins

I fired up my love lights again yesterday, and bought a new sweatshirt that said “Love wins.”

I still believe that love wins.

I’ll bet you do too.

But it can’t win alone.

Love isn’t a fat cupid slinging lazy arrows, it’s:

A mother having a tough discussion with her son about language and the power of words.

An educator racing the school bus to his student’s home so he can be sitting there in the living room with mom and dad when the troubled student rolls in.

A Milwaukee bus driver pulling over in the middle of her route to rescue a wandering toddler.

A young man talking his friend through a high school breakup.

A busy woman proofing a post on deadline when she has a million other things to do.

A dad getting up early on a cold winter morning to shovel snow, even though everyone else in the house is perfectly capable of helping him.

A son gently explaining to his mother why he strongly disagrees with her, but respects her just the same.

A friend offering forgiveness, despite a bruised heart and shaken world.

An Appleton woman making her way to Kenya for the 32nd time to help facilitate uninterrupted education for girls there.

A gifted reverend risking his life for a cause he believed in, and changing the world.

Every year on Martin Luther King Day we hear this famous quote, “Darkness does not drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate does not drive out hate; only love can do that.”

But it takes work for love to do that. We have to lean in. It’s a battle that requires honesty, focus, compassion, empathy, humility and introspection.

We’re up to it, though. I bet every single one of you could cite off the top of your head numerous instances where love wins in your life.

Today in honor of Dr. King, and every day in support of humanity, let’s all work hard to make sure love wins.

When we do that, we change the world.