How To Enter A Gas Station And Not Start A Riot

What if the strongest proof of God in your life is not what you claim but how you love? We open the day with 1 John’s bold line—God is love—and follow it into everyday spaces where patience wins and fear loses. No stained-glass distance here: we talk about crowded counters, loud phone calls, and how a calm presence can shift the room. Love is not weakness; it is disciplined strength that refuses to mirror the worst energy in front of us.

From there we draw a surprising thread to the 1975 Pet Rock phenomenon. Millions bought a joke with a great story, and for a brief moment a packaged stone felt like joy. It’s a snapshot of how novelty can capture attention without delivering meaning. The contrast is the point: love endures because it changes people, not because it entertains them. When we choose gentleness over heat, we are practicing a durable good that trends cannot touch.

We also wrestle with forgiveness. An apology without change is a rerun. Real repentance is course correction—retraining habits so you do not apologize for the same harm next week. Titles and labels—Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist, agnostic—describe where we think we belong; character shows who we are becoming. Your resume lists places; God knows pain survived and strength gained. Let critics talk. If God is preparing you to carry blessing, he is also preparing you to shoulder the noise.

Join us for scripture that reads us back, a story from “stupid American history” that still teaches, and practical steps to enter any room with love already chosen. If this resonates, share it with a friend, subscribe for the next reflection, and leave a review telling us where you’re choosing love over fear this week.PRAYER REQUEST Support the show