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Love one another.......as I consider the challenge of 1 John 4:7 I realize how God has used journeys in my life to teach me the reality of this passage. You see, it's easy to say we love someone. "I love this; I love that" are terms quite casually used in our society today. We say we love chocolate ice cream as easily as we say we love our spouse. Yet, the love that God gives to us and CALLS us to is much different and greater than that.
Years ago I had to learn that love. There was a person in my life who had hurt me deeply and I really didn't care to have to deal with him at all. Mind you, some of the chaos in my heart was brought on by myself; I put myself in situations where my behavior screamed "you asked for it." Yet, no one deserves to be treated with disrepect or crudeness. Such was the behavior vented at me in front of people I cared about. It was embarrassing and hurtful. For many years I harbored that animosity and let it eat at me. Without realizing it the pain affected other relationships with people and my relationship with Christ.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart I learned that I had to let that hurt and pain go. To release it to the grace of Jesus. I had to do that without expecting (or getting) the apology of the one who hurt me. (That was probably the greatest battle in getting through this. A prideful barrier.) It was so long ago I can't quite remember if I actually ever spoke to this person about what they had done. At that point in our friendship it wasn't wise to pursue that. But I learned to let God's love heal me; make my broken parts whole again and release me from the bondage I had to that anger. It took time. It took patience. It took diligence on my part. It was a deliberate decision to let God work in me.
I can't explain the freedom that is found in being able to let go of something painful to let God take care of it. I can honestly say that I forgive myself, my friend and that I love him with the love of Christ. Am I best friends with him? No. Do I respect and care for him as he is? Yes. Do I pray for the blessing of God's work in his heart and life. Of course. And I mean it. "Friends, let us love one another........"
4:7 Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God.
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Sometimes I wonder.............
I'm not content with what I have
Why new beginnings can be so scary
I like to drive so fast (tickets are expensive)
Why my kids think Nerds are a food group
How God's grace can get any more gracious
If my kids will be stunted by having a ceramic dog for a pet
What my life would be like if.............
If there will be clouds in heaven I can sit on
Why we feel 'constrained' in worship
Who dreams up the names for Crayola crayons
If God's feelings get hurt (this one is from my youngest daughter)
My future in the Olympics (from my oldest daughter)
to be updated from time to time...........
What do you wonder about?
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When we moved to Owensboro I purchased one of those mongo bottles of laundry detergent. Enough for 96 loads if you filled it to the max line each time. Today I ran out of detergent. Mind you we have really only been at home for maybe 3 weeks - vacation in the middle. I know I did at least 10 loads of laundry on vacation. When I do laundry I always use the least amount of detergent possible (the lowest line in the cup). They say you can use 1/2 of the recommended amount anyway. So that means in less than a month I've done over 100 loads of laundry. EGADS!
Check this out though. I have four amazing kids and a wonderful husband. I hate laundry more than anything. Give me a dirty bathroom any day and I'll happily scrub it. But folding piles and piles of clothes is not my thing. So, instead of feeling sorry for myself (imagine how many loads Jon & Kate Plus 8 do every week) I pray over every pair of pants I fold, every shirt I have to press (because I never get them out of the dryer in time to appreciate wrinkle free), every pair of socks I roll...........thanking God that I am blessed enough to have these amazing people in my life.
I had two difficult pregnancies with my girls - they are miracles to me. We prayed and waited for 2 long years for our boys to be adopted into our family. After a year, it's like they have always been meant to be here. What a blessing that God has trusted me with these four precious souls to raise. (What was HE thinking?)
My husband has stood by my side for 17 years..........he doesn't let my dreams die - he encourages me to make them a reality and, without a doubt, prays God's Word into our family. What a kick that God has entrusted my heart with Paul's love. And it just keeps getting better.
Maybe next month I'll do 200 loads of laundry. Sports season is upon us. Lord, thanks for all those socks!
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Emily's prayer at night always starts the same......"Dear Lord, Thank you for this day you have given us. Give us a good day tomorrow. Hope nobody bugs us and nobody bugs you......." I've always been intrigued by the faith of my children and how they process God's grace and the lessons of His Word. Obviously, we can figure out the meaning of "Hope nobody bugs us...." With 2 brothers and a sister I know what that means to Emily.
I asked her about what it means to "bug God" and my ever so insightful 9 year old said, "Mom, it means when people say to God ' I don't believe in you.' or 'I don't care about what is important to you.'
Hmmm....I wonder how many of us make choices every day that 'bug God,' displease Him and hurt His heart. I used to smile inwardly every time Emily said that. Surely, as an adult I was quite above 'bugging God.' But after talking theology with Em' it's quite apparent to me that we all make those not-so-pleasing choices that probably leave God breathless with us. Yet, unlike our human reaction with one another which seeks revenge, payback or that harbors frustration and anger, God patiently holds out with us and teaches us how to live for Him.
I realize that I do make choices that 'bug God.' I lose my patience with others, don't give my best when I should, make excuses for my poor behavior by pointing at others.......the list can go on and on. What does your list look like?
Lord, help me not to bug others or you! Amen.
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