Over the years my germ hatred was tested. Five children. Millions of diapers. Throw up. On my face. And then there were mission trips. Holding naked babies in remote villages of Haiti and Africa. There was sharing meals with folks off the SAME PLATE.
"Love and germs go together. But love and phobias don't."
We asked a family of four to stay with us while they built their new home. Over the months we came to love them like family. One day I was sitting at the kitchen table sharing a soda with one of them. Drinking out of the same bottle. Talking. Laughing. Wait. What??? I didn't even notice at first.
In Africa, eating with my friends has become a yummy joy! Even off the same plate. Love has made the meal an experience of togetherness of love.
There is an amazing and even shocking conversation that Jesus had with someone (John 4). She was a Samaritan. Jews didn't associate with Samaritans. She was also a she. Rabbis were not supposed to share with women. She was also not exactly a moral person. She was at a well filling her bucket. Jesus was there too. Sitting. He didn't have a bucket. She noticed. She was also shocked when Jesus spoke. Even more by what he asked. Jesus asked her for a drink of water. Her water. From her bucket!!! From her cup I guess! Jesus drank after her. Germ alert! BUT love led to more than his physical thirst quenched. It led to her spiritual deadly dehydration being drenched with an eternal spring of the living water of Jesus within her. Forever.
Love cured my phobia. And Love covers a multitude of sins.
(Yes I still wash my hands after church).
