There are times in my life when I am just hard to love. Yes. That's right friends. I know that you would never suspect...but 'tis true. Especially as a hormonal teenager. Even more so as a know-it-all newbie college student. Perhaps a wee bit within a sleep-deprived mama state. And when I am pregnant and within the second trimester? Forgeddaboudit.
Today I think back on "that" girl. The me I become when I loose my way, become unglued and separated from God's will. And I see in every situation that when I am hard to love it is usually because I am anxious, scared, or lonely. At times, I see a girl begging for someone to tell her they love her for who she is, not who she is trying to invent. And I understand her now. Love her more. I want to protect her instead of trying to destroy her.
Do you know someone like that?
Someone who is just so darn hard to love?
Is there an ugly someone in your midst who casts a net of unpleasantness around them so deep and wide that all feel compelled to pull away lest they get sucked in?
At the cleaners?
In your church?
In the carpool line?
Within your family?
Today, I pray we remember Jesus' words:
Love each other as I have loved you.
John 15:11-13
As we remember Christ's words today I challenge you to reach out and offer that love to someone who is hard to love. Look deeper and imagine what life is like for them outside of this moment: loneliness, an illness in the family, financial distress, hating themselves. And when you determine who this person is, no matter what reaction they truly deserve, choose instead to offer them grace and a Christ-like love.
Dear God, please help us to remember your love that you have given to us so freely. Help us to obey your command to love each other and live in peace. In doing so, let our lives be a witness to the joy, love and peace you offer within us. Work on our hearts God, so that we may be surprised to find that the people who are most difficult in our lives aren't so hard to love after all.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Additional Verses:
- May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 - Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
1 Thessalonians 4:8-10 - Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-14
And now for some fun!! It's time to announce this week's
GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!
Thank you all for entering to win Liz Curtis Higgs' new book The Girl's Still Got It: Take a Walk With Ruth and the God Who Rocked Her World.
Congrats
Christina Parker Brown!!!
List Randomizer(from Random.org)
There were 41 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
- Christina Parker Brown
- Jill Beran
- susan@avintagefarmwife
- Mikki
.......
Timestamp: 2012-08-01 19:32:42 UTC
Christina, I know you are going to enjoy this book! Please email me your address at teaganstravels@yahoo.com.
Hope you have a great day, ladies!! Leave me a comment and tell me, what do YOU do when someone is hard to love????
Blessings,
Michelle
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