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| Please... Love until it hurts |
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I've edited this piece because my heart is melancholy. There is part of me longing and crying out to God like a child. I am mourning and grieving and have just realized why. I'm needing my parents and my grandmother. Just when you think all of that is over...
It is then, that I know that the grief I'm feeling is a blessing. It means that I was loved, and that I loved them in return. I've acknowledged the grief, hence it will pass. God is so merciful and loving. The season will soon pass.
So... I wonder, can we ever love anyone too much? I don't think so. For there are so very many times that people feel so very alone in the world.
Some people can be in a room filled with people and not have one person say a kind word to them. Many weary people walk the roads and sometimes, not a soul stops to see if they need a helping hand.
People are embarrassed when they pull out their food stamps to pay for groceries. I do not how you feel about this situation, but I don't look at the food stamps. I look at the human being. For in every situation, there is human being involved.
I knew of woman who was once in a grocery store lane. She saw an an elderly woman who didn't have enough food stamps to complete her small purchase. The woman had her head bent away from the other customers, and the younger woman sensed her shame. So the younger slipped to the front and squeezed some dollar bills into her hand and whispered, "Don't worry". Their eyes met for a moment, and they smiled. The younger woman slipped to the back of the line. I do believe the younger woman touched an angel that day.
It's sad... so many assumptions, so many worries about approaching strangers, yet isn't it the same now as it was when Christ walked this earth? I have no memory of Him having qualms about touching anyone. He just loved... and gave... to everyone. Our society has anti-bacterial hand wipes.
The coin can flipped as well. What if you are that stranger, or that person who needs human contact but is ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help? Babies die from lack of human touch.
I read once that loving God means loving and giving until it hurts. It means that you forget about yourself, and you put God, and other people ahead of yourself. It means stripping yourself of pride, prejudice and arrogance. It means forgetting about what you want and what you think is important, and learning to focus on what God thinks is important.
It means getting down to the basics, because in reality, that is exactly where we started. Being loved by God.
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Very good blog Joey!
I have no doubt that you planted a seed of the very love of God in that woman's life that day. That was act of random kindness. That was God working through you, and that's a beautiful thing!
Thanks for sharing.
May your roots continue to grow down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love! |
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| So simple. So powerful. And yet the world and even the church find so many ways to look away, to ratiionalize, and put limits on love. Thank you Joey for a wonderful post. |
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| What a beautiful story of love. We need to look inward not outward. Happy New Year and God Bless you and yours. |
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MaKelly |
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December 31, 2007 at 9:42am |
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Joey AWESOME
not only the angels saw and rejoice at what you did but God new that you where going to do it He is the Alpa & the Omega so He began His rejoicing when you got out of bed that morning.
Amen |
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Deb |
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December 31, 2007 at 10:36am |
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| Great blog Joey! Gives me a lot of things to think about. |
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Joey |
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December 31, 2007 at 11:14am |
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I was writing the blog about my attitude, and you see, I'm the flip side of the coin too. It's easier for me to give than to ask for a friend to give me comfort. Does that make sense?
I've been a grumpy person! Difficult to live with, and I want to change my attitude. I want to be like Jesus. I've always prayed that I look at people through the eyes of Jesus, not my own. |
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Joey, this was so excellent! My friend Jen & I were talking about how hard it is to ask for help -- because we don't want to be a burden to others but also because we've been used relentlessly by those "vampire relationships" in our lives (those folks who suck the life blood out of you). It is a challenge to find balance there -- to keep attuned to when the Holy Spirit tells us to help and when He tells us to back off so that person can learn to reach out to the LORD -- but also to be brave enough to ask for help when we need it. It boils down to keeping an intimate relationship with the LORD so we'll have the discernment we need. Sounds simple enough, but I definitely need to work on it! Your words bring even more clarification to that line of thought. Thank you!
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| Nice one Joey, we could all use and give more love!!! Stu. |
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| Joey, I loved how you showed both sides of this....I think like you it can sometimes be hard to receive love too. I live alone...so I have gotten to where I will ask my grown daughter for a hug...cuz like those babies, since I loss my hubby I sometimes go days without human touch....and I can testify I for one need it. |
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Gene |
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January 02, 2008 at 4:32pm |
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Joey, of all your blogs I've ever read, this is by far the most touching and special - at least to me. God bless you sister.
I can't write any more. . |
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| Good word thanks for sharing. |
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Kimmy |
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January 03, 2008 at 5:25pm |
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| Simply beautiful, just like the heart it flowed from. God bless you Joey. |
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| Great blog ! Joey, you mentioned that you wanted to be like Jesus...I believe that as God's children, that's how He makes us. Jesus was tempted in all points like as we ! He knew the temptation didn't made Him "bad". But, He, every time chose to resist the temptation. In Psa 23, we read that the 'Shepherd leads us in paths of righteousness, for His name's sake'. Help us all, O Lord, to follow in the path ! |
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Joey |
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January 04, 2008 at 8:42pm |
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Amen... Psalm 23 pressed into my heart that I'm never alone; especially during the darkest and bleakest of times. I know that He is with me, guiding me, and that He will lead me home. It gives me that blanket of safety and love. |
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Kathy |
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January 04, 2008 at 8:47pm |
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Good blog, Joey! |
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Joey |
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January 04, 2008 at 8:48pm |
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| Why, thank you Kathy. That means so much. You all just made my day |
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Cheryl |
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January 06, 2008 at 7:53pm |
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| Good blog, Joey!!! I want to press in and run hard after God too. Thanks!!! |
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Joey |
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January 07, 2008 at 11:39am |
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| Run like the wind! My hips won't let me but my heart does! |
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JayKTX |
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January 07, 2008 at 5:29pm |
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| The first time I read this blog I was touched too deeply to comment, it brought the heart of God to us all. And it reminded me of a friend of my son Chris. They were both teens working part time at a grocery store. This young man was so shy he was anti-social. (Both my sons were always bringing home strays.) I learned there were some problems at home. He would never look me in the face, only look at the floor and try to be invisible. He shrunk back like he did not want to be noticed, that human contact was painful for him. In my natural mind I thought it might be easier to him to let him have his way and not notice him. But the Lord put it in my heart to start speaking to him, painful as it seemed. So every time I went in the store or saw him, I called him by name and said, "Hello __________, it's good to see you" or some such small talk. He rarely responded that I could see. But I kept it up. Chris continued to be a friend to him and one day maybe a year later, reported that his friend had told him "Chris, you have the nicest mom in the whole world." I was blown away by that. All I had done was notice him in a positive way. And then I thought something close to what you said: there are some people in this world who go day in and day out, week after week, month after month, with no one speaking a kind word to them. I did so little but to the young man it meant so much! May God help us to sow seeds of kindness everywhere. |
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Joey |
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January 07, 2008 at 5:32pm |
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A little to most people means the most to some of us.... God bless you, sister. |
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Joseph |
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January 10, 2008 at 5:44am |
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Your commemts was very good I wish and pray that more people will feel the same way someday as you and I do.
Thank you I needed this letter today. |
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| Love can hurt, but it is the right thing to do. |
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| Wen you mean 'love until it hurts',what exactly is it? |
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Joey |
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January 11, 2008 at 12:56pm |
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It means that you forget about yourself, and you put God, and other people ahead of yourself. It means stripping yourself of pride, prejudice and arrogance. It means forgetting about what you want and what you think is important, and learning to focus on what God thinks is important. |
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33 |
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January 11, 2008 at 3:09pm |
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It means stripping yourself of pride, prejudice and arrogance.
I think that stripping ourselves of our pride, prejudice and arrogance are the hardest things to do. We have become so self-centered, as a society (I know I have!!) that we can't get over ourselves to help those who are in much more need than we are.
Loved it!! |
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| Awesome blog Joey!! How true the commet is that 33 left! |
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Joey |
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January 11, 2008 at 9:50pm |
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| She is a smart young woman, that one. Thank you! |
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Hi Joey. Just got an email with your blog featured on it as I was sat preparing a sermon on Love. Was praying for inspiration, and I read your blog and got it!
Thanks!
Will be reading out your thoughts as part of my talk..... |
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| Thank you Joey =) God bless ya |
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Sheree |
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January 12, 2008 at 2:13pm |
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| That was very touching. Bless you! |
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Sondra |
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January 13, 2008 at 9:51am |
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| Hi Joey: I so enjoyed your plog this am. Yes, I have loved until it hurts, but, I asked God years ago, to let my heart be moved the way HE saw things, felt things, to be moved with compassion. I learned it thru my walk with my hubby, who just went to Heaven in October. We married and I got involved with a wonderful man, who battled addictions. He told me early in the marriage, he wanted to meet one faithful person. Well, God had it ordained. By the grace of our God, I was she. We seperated 3 years prior to his death. He lived out of town and worked a Recovery program. He actually received counsel to divorce, as I would never understand him they said. He bought into it. Kept speaking of divorce, but, God never let him go thru with the divorce. My hubby called often. we were still very close. I saw him every so often, and it was like we never seperated. Love, covers everything!! 6 weeks before he died, he called. God opened a door and we prayed, and shared. He knew that night we hung up, JESUS and I loved him so much. we met for a quick lunch a few weeks later, when I went to see my family. Little did I know, we would never talk again. His family excluded me from the cremation and memorial service. But, love never fails. I will always have great memories because of God' love in me. The journey was difficult while I lived in it, but, the Lord was with me. Amen, Love often. That's the way we will assist others to come to Jesus. God bless you!! Sondra |
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Joey |
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January 13, 2008 at 12:24pm |
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| God bless you, Sondra for sharing your story with me. Love often; I will remember that. |
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Cheryl |
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January 13, 2008 at 3:16pm |
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| I was just convicted of pride yesterday, a friend shared with me about when you do not wait or want to wait on the Lord's timing~that is pride. WOW!!! I sit at His feet. |
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Joey |
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January 13, 2008 at 5:06pm |
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Pride.... I have been humbled many times, by many people, and situations. I am still working on all of things I spoke of. God knows us... |
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widdie |
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January 14, 2008 at 9:32am |
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| I love to love. My favorite thing to do is when going through the drive through of an fast food place is to pay for the order for the people behind me. I never know the reaction, but the joy that floods my heart is so God given. I don't do it all the time, but it is when God speaks in a little voice in my heart that I do so. I have also helped people in grocery stores. When God gave me an abundance it is only fair that I share. The thanks I get is from obeying God. There is nothing greater in life. Try it, you will love the feeling of love both to the person behind you, and from God. |
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Joey |
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January 14, 2008 at 12:59pm |
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| You are a blessing, indeed. It feels alot better giving than receiving, doesn't it... |
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Hi Joey, great blog my name is. Ace the Holy Spirit has me working on a new ministry. I might be going to Africa and India in the near future. The name of are ministry is Organization For Jesus Christ ministries. JC International enables you to make a difference and break the cycle of poverty for children at risk. Check out are new ministry when you have some time, and tell me what you think, I am almost ready to put it out on the web. http://www.freewebs.com/1952albert/ and please leave a comment thanks. JC seeks to serve at-risk children through quality, holistic care in three different programs: children’s homes, care centers, and schools. Our ministry will operate in Africa and India. Starting out I have two pastors, Fidel Donaldson and Angel ,who will be working with me but it will take some time to get it running. I will be advertising by word of mouth, that is the best way to advertise, I have a lot of people that are waiting for it to come out. When you see it tell a friend . Well that is all for now. Love,your brother in Christ, Ace |
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This is wonderful! I use coupons, and I am "proud" of my thriftiness! lol Poor ppl don't repell me because we don't have much, and money means jack. There are plenty of working poor!!! When I was involved with Harvest House outreach (street level ministry), you dealt with a lot of less than nice looking---and smelling people. But I tell ya, what a joy to love them! I miss those days so much, even though sometimes, yes, it got draining,when everyone thinks you got your act together because you aren't on some drug, and therefor come to you constantly. BUT I don't regret those days. I love the stinky people! Wait; that sounds bad! But many of them are, and it is sad...they can't even get a shower or just don't care. I'm still rough around the edges in so many ways, but I guess I can put on the civilized act when need be. But I never felt more at home than with these ppl at Harvest House . Honestly, it is the only place I have ever felt like part of the crowd! I kinda chuckle, because what a motley crew we were! lol |
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Go to a soup kitchen! Awesome place to meet ALL kinds of ppl!
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| This is beautiful. Honest. Real. I, too, aspire to walk in my freedom strongly enough to bend to my need for people; to not be afraid to let love in. That's just as tough as loving others...you do well in encouraging us along these lines...thank you... |
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You are a blessing to all of us that have read this. Any time i give out i always get some much more than what i gave and i don't relant giving it is my littel secret. It is not christ-like for you to say to someone come on the morrow whan you can heal a wound today. Someone needs help no matter how small it may be do it and watch God increace you.
2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit? |
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Brent |
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January 18, 2008 at 10:18pm |
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Joey, that was a great blog. Loving until it hurts. You know that is the definition of love if you really think about it. The message of love we see from the world is it is all about me, yet true love is defined when we will give our life for a friend. Thanks for such a good encouragement to love until it hurts. Have a great weekend! |
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| I had to break up with my boy friend.Reason:he wanted to get closer to God,therefore obey God.His parents were against us,for various reasons,yet we went on.But in the bible it says obey your parents.By going out with me,he is disobeying his parents,thus going against what God has told to do.so i had to break up.I'd harden myself and say i dont care,but i actually do.After reading this blog i became honest to myself and facd the facts,and i find in loving him,i am filled with wholeness.yet he has hardened himself,and i am rejected.I feel he still cares,an so do i.And the distance thats coming inbetween is very painful.I am sad to say i find it hard to love,but this is one of hte rare times i can love,and i think i should love because God is love,and if i can grow in love,i must hold on to it,so i can love others.But i also feel i should move away,just a bit,because he is doing so.if i love,i love.i dont want to pretend everythings ok when its not,because im just lying to myself.im kinda really confused. |
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Procyon |
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February 15, 2008 at 10:01pm |
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Joey, you are one of the great blessings that have to come me thru MyChurch! I need to read this again! |
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Joey |
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February 16, 2008 at 9:59am |
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Farrah: Don't give up; God IS love, and He wants you to turn to Him. He is so easy to talk with.
Procyon: I apprceciate what are saying - thank you! |
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Megan |
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April 11, 2008 at 1:52am |
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| Awesome work! God bless you! |
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You know in the process of softening the heart of this Stoic Welshman from a long line of Welshmen. this blog has chinked away at a couple of bricks in the wall I used to keep the love of God and my fellow believers at bay. But I do Miss Dad, Uncle Sam, Several cousins, and Grandma Kemp, I could go on and on. But I just wanna say thanks for this touching post my dear friend.
Blessings,
David |
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| Thank you Joey.yes,thats the best thing to do.Thank you.I liked what you said about grieving means we did really loved them.Just yesterday i was wondering if i really loved anyone,or was capable of,or was just an empty person trying to love,or maybe that all i thought was just a pretence.But now i know better.Thank you loads =) God bless you! |
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there are so many comments that I did not read them all. (I will come back)
I have been on both sides of that coin. And I tell you what, I can't wait for it to flip again.
I love to be able to give and help others. when this started (our situation) and I spoke to no one while mom and I ate PB&J and baked potatoes for 2 months, the Father reminded me how it felt to give and said I was robbing others of enjoying that. WOW. That amazed me. |
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JayKTX |
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April 11, 2008 at 3:14pm |
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There's an estate sale across the street for my good friend and neighbor Sarah. I blogged in memory of her when she died recently, recounting the adventures we had together. Several times I've thought I was over my grief but then today, with the sale going, it was back again. I went over there and alternated between being glad for her that she is in a wonderful place and being sad for me because I miss her. God is so good! I opened a huge zippered file and my eyes fell on the first line of a poem she had paperclipped to a page that said this: "Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free." I also read: "Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, don't lengthen it now with undue grief...I took His hand when I hard Him call, I turned my back and left it all." Life is brief. And no, Joey, we can't treasure our loved ones too much. |
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