Somebody loves me, myself and I.
A great couple loves me enough to write me the following words to guard my soul from hypocrisy.

This letter comes from a couple that I respect, love and honor so much not to take heed to their words and not to answer. Let me share my reading of these words. (Beware, I will exaggerate a little).

"Gerry, you talk the talk, but do you walk the talk? You write nice, but are you nice? Do your deeds match your words? It is nice to write important things, but it is more important to be nice. I have seen that those who use many words are trying to compensate for the absence of deeds; I hope you are not one of those. Are you, Gerry?”

Please do not say: “Touchy…Touchy!” I think the letter is reasonable and caring.

Let me tell you what made Jesus so beautiful and ever admirable, lovable and extremely attractive to me. Although Jesús was in a fallen world, He was perfect and full of integrity, grace and truth. Between what he said and what he did, there was no difference. Therefore he had the moral authority to expect the same from his followers who carry his name. Jesús said: "Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect". Jesus did not only want us to be nice, but "Perfect".

Perfection is "Impossible" to accomplish by a sinner in a sinful world. Not only impossible, but also "Inconceivable". Then how could he ask such a thing from reprobates like us? Unless Jesus himself provided the means to accomplish that request, he could not make of us such a demand. Yes. Indeed he has provided such resources. He himself is our perfection. Jesus is our righteousness. It is He in us our hope of Glory. It is Jesus in us that will "show his love through us to our loved-ones" in spite of us and also because of us. Our feebleness is His opportunity. So the glory might be His and His alone.

What follows may sound as if I am “tooting my horn”. I hope not. I work under a God of the highest principles of perfection that my life of works will always be the ever trying and trying of a penitent. I will never be good enough for my Ruthie; but I will keep trying. My life is as Pastor Tim Tinsley said: “It is not “Three strikes and you are out”. “It is “Bat until you hit.” I am batting and having so much fun.

The love of God for us is our operating benchmark. Under that light, whatever earthly loyalty is but a reflection of our relationship with God, an effect -- not a cause.

It is the Love of God that constrains us to love others. Love is from God. Any other “source” of love is utterly useless for the needs of the soul. My love for my wife, though it aims to feed her need, in actuality it pursues the smile of God. My wife knows it and she is not jealous about it.

Now let us see how this great love of God is communicated by little means to a small, wounded, gentle sheep, (my Ruthie) under the exclusive care of a shepherd friend assigned by God.

Does it count to be available 24 hours a day?
Does it count to give tender loving tickles to make her laugh?
Does it count to give serenades at her window?
Does it count to share devotionals tailored to her needs?
Does it count to speak poems for her ears only?

Does it count to try to keep a spotless kitchen and sink?
Does cleaning and cooking with a smile count?
Does it count to be more like her and less like myself?
Does it count for her to be more like me and less like herself?
Does it count that after 40 years she still would want to marry me again?

Does it count to want to be buried together? (In 2026)
I, myself and me do not do things the right way and I know it.
I just do the right thing the best I know how.
I am a follower by choice and I love it, yet…
I am a leader by nature for it is in my being.

Myself? Whether leader or follower, I am here to testify.
Myself? Wise or fool I belong to Jesús my Savior.
Myself? Is a man that demands love and grace?
Myself? I want to know self by feedback and disclosure.

Me? I dress for man, remain undressed for God, unafraid.
Me? I am a man of colorful robe and a large target.
Me? I am a man in white garment, God’s untouchable.
Me? Despised by some and loved by others, mostly happy.

You must know someone like that in yourself.
You must know the value of a Jonathan wherever you are.
You must be an Abel regardless of Cain’s attitude.
You must be like Jesus always as your brother’s keeper.
Jesús is better than ten thousand guardian angels.
Jesús is a friend always closer than any brother.

I know in ME a man in Jesús of whom I am proud.
About MYSELF I am only proud of my weakness.
But ME, MYSELF and I are one and the same thing.
Tell me of THEM who don’t moan: Do THEY hurt less?
Tell me of the sturdy; are THEY consolers of SELF?

Where should a needy one go but to Jesús and the body?
You who are robust, where do YOU YOUR SELF go?
“YOU tough YOU”, teach me to be silent and still feel right.
ME, MYSELF and I will moan and groan while I can.

It is for the ears of HE, HIMSELF and HIM we cry.
To you who sit with us in sackcloth and ashes we plead.
Let us scratch our itching wounds with a piece of clay
Fear of self-confidence make us plead to you for prayer.

The fear of no confidence makes our soul tremble.
My one foot is on holy ground and the other in the world.
My God or my wife: My heart is wavering. It is Love.
I have spoken much. “I will put my hands on my mouth”

As per ME, MYSELF AND I love the Lord our God with consuming passion and thanksgiving for his gracious acceptance and unconditional, irresistible, effectual, and perseverant love. Exceedingly joyful to know that: “Salvation is of the Lord alone”. Even though waves are on the surface, stillness is in the depths. I praise your name Great Jehovah!!

As we walk on water some unwanted storms have blown over our otherwise quiet waters creating threatening waves. It has caused me to find refuge in writing. I am not going out of my mind. If that happens I will let you know. You do not have to write me back. But I love when I hear your words of wisdom. I am teachable in heart. I need your prayer. A short prayer like: “Lord have compassion of Ruthie and Gerry”.

I need wisdom from above for my Ruthie’s sake. What else do I need to do for her? Share with me your side of knowledge on love and loving so I can in your representation love Ruthie more and better. I am by Grace teachable; teach me, lead me, show me. Hold my hands.

Gerry Gutierrez

PS My friend Milt Richards use to tell me: "Love your wife the right way and you will love every women the right way"