Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World

One day, as Goff drove home, a car hit his Jeep, causing it to roll over and eject him onto the road. He found himself sitting unharmed on the asphalt, but his Jeep was left upside down, engine revving wildly. Instead of being upset, Goff found humor and awe in the experience, declaring to the other driver, an elderly woman named Lynn, that it was the most thrilling event of his life. Lynn was shaken and feared she would never drive again. Goff reassured her with kindness and joked about the incident as if it were a ride at Disneyland. Instead of buying a new car, he decides to learn about reliance on others. He begins skateboarding to work and borrowing cars for longer trips, embracing the vulnerability that comes with needing help. Through this journey, Goff learns to receive forgiveness, appreciate his community, and discover joy in a slower pace of life. Goff uses the story of the Jeep as a lesson in resilience, adaptability, and the unexpected lessons that come from life's turns.

A family tradition is shared: when his children reach their 10th birthday, they choose an adventure to experience with Goff. His daughter Lindsey asks for high tea in London. Goff describes a whirlwind trip to London, filled with typical tourist activities and culminating in tea at the Ritz. Goff uses this story to draw parallels between human and divine relationships, emphasizing the personalized nature of God's invitation to adventure. He views God as a father who asks, “Where do you want to go?” (129) and encourages embracing life's opportunities without overthinking.

Goff’s wife's concerns about his selective hearing prompts him to take a hearing test. The test reveals that Goff's hearing is fine; he simply chooses not to listen to things he doesn't want to hear. He parallels this with his communication with God, suggesting that while he does not hear God in an audible voice, he senses divine guidance in his soul. Goff dispels the notion that God communicates the same way with everyone, pointing out that divine interaction can occur through creation, others, or internal nudges. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's direction in life's journey, even when it's not clear in the moment. Goff concludes that God's plan for us is not a detailed blueprint but a dynamic invitation to love and engage with the world, to be God's plan for others through actions inspired by faith and love.

Goff is captivated by an oil painting titled The Puppeteer, depicting an old man entertaining his family with a marionette. Goff sees himself in the painting, drawing parallels to how Jesus gathers people with stories of a better life. After saving for a year, Bob buys the painting which is sold along with an identical copy meant to be displayed (to keep the original in safe keeping). Rejecting this idea, Goff displays the real one in his home. One morning, he finds that the painting has been struck by a rubber band during one of his family's “rubber band wars”. Rather than being upset, the mark endears the painting to him further, reminding him of the lively and authentic life they share. Goff reflects on the significance of being genuine, suggesting God doesn't expect people to be perfect but values one’s true self, including imperfections. Despite the risks of being authentic, Bob argues that God cherishes the originality he created in each person, much like Goff cherishes the original painting, rubber band mark and all.

During the Transpac Race, a sailing trip across the Pacific to Hawaii, Goff’s small sailboat's lacks a skilled navigator. Goff relies on a plastic sextant and a straightforward approach: taking a reading at noon and finding himself within a 60 mile radius of his target. Goff likens this to navigating life with God, asserting that all believers need is a simple line pointing towards Jesus and to remain within the circle of his love and grace. He describes the end of the race, where a proud announcer welcomes each sailor home, which Goff imagines is how God will welcome us at life's finish line, saying, “Friends, it's been a long trip. Welcome home” (158). He emphasizes that one’s name is in the book of life not because of one’s actions but because of who God is.