The Man Who Dared to Love

The Man Who Dared to Love

The world will tell you

Chase what you want

Work til you’ve got it good

But good’s not good enough.

Get the job, get the girl

Get the house, get the raise

Chase after your desires

Satisfaction never stays.

But a man desired different

Wanted to be the change

Instead of chasing his own life

He did something strange.

He chose to love wholeheartedly

To love without regrets

He loved the people in his life

He loved the ones who left.

He loved those that hated him

Who cursed him night and day

He listened to their angry words

And loved them anyway.

Hardships, bumps, and trials

He never stopped his fight

He chose to listen, and compassion

Over dishing out advice.

Sweet Maria he calls his wife

Won her heart after three years

One PB&J at a time

Placed by her car wipers.

A woman wrecked his ride, and sent

Him tumbling out his car

He turned around and sent her flowers

Right to her front door.

He left his truck unlocked at work

So a homeless man could sleep there

The man sometimes would trash the truck

But Bob Goff didn’t care.

A woman dying of cancer

Missed the neighborhood parade

Bob Goff conspired with the others and

Walked it through her yard instead.

He brought justice to Uganda

He helped build up a school

He loved the most unlovable

He shattered all the rules.

So why’d I write about Bob Goff?

This crazy, loving man?

Because he inspires my own life:

To bring kindness, wherever I can.

He inspires me to break the box

To reach for compassion first

Treat people with respect even when

They’re just acting the worst.

They strike your cheek? Turn the other

Offer kind words instead

Treat everyone like a brother

Share your house, your time, your bread.

A loving word can change a life

A cruel one can bring ruin

Such power we hold in our word and speech

We must learn how to use it.

So I take lessons from Bob Goff

On learning how to love

A simple smile, a favor, a chat

Being kind is enough.

The satisfaction of loving well

Is one of the best things ever tasted

And remember, as Bob Goff said,

Extravagant love is never wasted.