In Bob Goff's book Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World, he tells story after story about his adventures in loving people, loving life, and following God. It's part memoir, part inspirational, and part just-a-good-time. He has lived his life with abandon, whimsy, and faith, and seeks to pass some of that along to his readers.
Goff is one of those guys who doesn't use the words "No" or "I can't" very often. If he did, he wouldn't have travelled to Africa to free children from prison, or taken his kids to eat ice cream with heads of state. He tells funny stories and inevitably brings it around to a solid life lesson. As a Christian, he has found unique and effective ways to serve God around the world. It's fun to read his stories and be challenged by Goff's willingness to take chances in following God.
My delight was tempered, however, by the fact that as he tries to model whimsical living and obedience, he doesn't seem to grasp how unrealistic his modeling is for most people. Your little girl wants to have high tea? Take her on a trip to London! Your kids write to world leaders and get invitations to come for a visit? Travel across Europe! Taking trips with your friends on your motorcycle and sidecar, or inviting your dying friend's family to vacation at your family's lodge in Canada, or sailing with your son in his new boat to park it on the dock in your backyard, I mean, who wouldn't want to do these things? Apparently his wallet is thicker than mine (and I suspect most of his readers).
Nevertheless, Goff seems like a great guy and he tells good stories. Should I have more whimsy in my life? Should I be ready to follow God into crazy adventures? Yes and yes. Too bad the realities of life and finances so often prevent me from doing things I dream about.
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