Jimmie is love

My sister Chantel, or Jimmie, as I've called her for about 20 years now, had a birthday today. People are always amazed at how well we get along. It's sad to me that sisters that love each other unconditionally AND who get along are uncommon these days. But Jimmie and I get along great. And we get along with my other sister too. But since it's Jimmie's birthday today I thought I'd honor her by this post.

Chantel is the middle sister. We've always been close. We were always together. We cheered together, played basketball together, watched NBA basketball together, watched movies like Elvis and Me and Eddie and the Cruisers a million times. We had fun that's for sure. She would beg me to come clean her room or at least sit on her bed while she cleaned it. We just had fun. In fact, no one in the world can make me laugh more than my two sisters and my mom.

I think why we get along so well is because we just let each other be. No expectations. A lot of grace. If there is a doubt, the other gets the benefit. If there was a mistake, the other is forgiven instantly. I mean, you can't get rid of your family, right??? So forigive em now or on your deathbed...it's an easy choice.

We were young and wild and free in high school. Then Chantel went to college. And then I went to college...but at one point we were both living back at home commuting to college. I remember how much she studied in nursing school. I'd go to bed and then wake up and she'd still be at the kitchen table studying. What a drag I thought! But Jimmie turned out to be the best nurse ever. She even won Employee of the Month at her hospital in Dallas! She'd make bulletin boards to improve work moral and to show the love of Christ. She has always seen needs and FILLED them. No questions of cost of money or time, just did it. She is compassionate.

When we were little she'd cry in the boat after we caught fish so Dad would make us throw them back in. What a drag! Ha. She cried when we poured salt on the snails (that was mean). She took in EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD CAT that needed a home (at one point we had over 20 cats....all named...and yes we could tell them apart...and no they were not inside cats). Dad LOVED Chantel's heart. He called her Sha-boog. Who knows why....but it was a sweet name of love. He would always look out for Chantel. Everyone else would speak up and speak out, and Chantel would always say, it doesn't matter. So he'd make everyone stop and be quiet and want to hear what Chantel had to say.

Chantel was the best basketball player ever! She had moves like Kevin McHale. We were quiet the team. I'd bring the ball down the court and look for her first...cause she was the best...and cause she is my sister! She was all-district, all-state, all-star, you name it. But what she wasn't was mean on the court. Dad would say, "Cmon Chantel you gotta get your game face on. Throw some elbows. Bow up. Don't let that girl push you around!" She was as good as a player could be without getting mean! LOL!

We had babies together...staggering them, but then also having our boys Wesley and Robert just 5 months apart. Our husbands weren't sure that was such a good idea...us both being pregnant together. We pick up each other's slack. We pick up each others kids. We pick up each others' houses.

Jimmie treats everyone the same. She oblivious to what clothes people wear or what car they drive. She sees people's heart. She sees people the way God sees them. She seeks out the underdog, the meek, and she anonymously touches their lives in beautiful ways. I know a lot about her...but I'm sure I don't even know half of all the things she's done for others. Many things maybe only her and God know. Their special secrets.

The only times in my life I've ever really been frustrated at Jimmie is when I feel like she lets people run over her. I think it's her personality, her compassion, her character, that lets some well meaning people feel like they can say and do things to her they'd never say or do to someone else. We've had to give each other pep talks before handy men came or such to remind ourselves that we can stand up for ourselves without being mean. And so many times she's kept her mouth shut when others have done her wrong. I'd want to call the person up and tell them how Chantel gave so much to them and they'd had taken advantage of her, but she never let me. She's not out for justice or revenge or others knowing she's right and they were wrong. She just loves and lets God take care of the rest. And she never stops giving. And touching others' lives.

When I was younger I used to think Chantel just needed to be tougher....you know, stand up for herself. Speak her mind more when she feels like someone did her wrong. Because that's what we do right. We set people straight. We don't let anyone tell us what to do or make us feel uncomfortable. Hmmm. Maybe we've got it backwards. What did Jesus mean when the last shall be first? What did Jesus mean when he said the meek will inherit the earth? What does the Bible mean when it says a "broken and contrite heart?' You know what, Jimmie reminds me of Jesus. He didn't have to go around proving how strong He was. And you know what, to be able to love unconditionally and forgive when not asked to and to hold your tongue and not feel the need to defend or build yourself up....well, actually that is strength. In fact, it is the greatest strength of all. It's the same strength Jesus displayed on His time on earth.

And you know what, shouldn't we all be like Jesus. Shouldn't we all try to be like Jimmie! Love our neighbor as ourself. When I read this in First Corinthians I think of Chantel...

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

That Scripture IS Chantel. Chantel IS this Scripture. Jimmie IS love!