The three foreign teachers had become good friends as strangers away from home. From lost keys to the death of a parent, they looked out for each other. The school year came to an end and they said goodbye as they waited for their taxis. The North American braced herself for the goodbye kisses from the French teacher, while the Japanese woman quietly hoped there would be no hugging or kissing. During the year, she had struggled enough with all the touching from the other two. Now in public?!

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” I John 3:18

At the end of a summer intensive English class, a group of North American teachers planned their part in the closing program. A few speeches and the calling of names and handing out of certificates. Seems clear. But at their debriefing there were mixed feelings about the handshaking versus hugging that had taken place. Who initiated what? Were the students happy or embarrassed? What would have been a culturally appropriate way to show their feelings towards the students?

“Doesn’t everyone need a hug now and then? Can’t I express my love my way?”

“Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.” I Thessalonians 4:9

A young student wrote of working long hours making a kite for a contest his father told him was a waste of time and money. A stern, hard-working farmer, he rarely spoke to his son. But it was the boy’s childhood dream to be in such a competition. He not only entered but took part even during a storm. The much-anticipated day ended with a tree branch falling on him and his kite destroyed. He was not seriously hurt and another competition was scheduled. He was sure he would not be part of it. But the next morning, a brand new kite awaited him on the breakfast table. “Your father wanted you to have it,” his mother said. It was then the boy knew his father loved him.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5

There are so many ways to express love. Which one is best? In our new countries, we want to be more than just polite foreigners. We follow a king from a kingdom with no passport and hardly exhaustive cultural guidelines. We don’t want to merely talk about His love. We want to show it. We need wisdom!