I have been walking through this devotional that our church has been doing together called "At His Feet". I really recommend this book because it is a little more in depth that some of the others. Recently it has been going through a series called Radical Love, Radical Behavior, and Radical Generosity. Radical Love is the one that I have been tested in as of late.
One thing that I have no patience for is mean girls and mean women. I hate when I start showing signs of this disease, and for sure despise this characteristic in other women. I was told this weekend that a mean woman said something about me that could not be far from the truth. Way far from the truth! It cut deep and if she knew me or spent any time with me at all she would know better. Knowing the source, it is easy to let this comment go a bit, but Satan still got the best of me with my insecurity and my flesh wanting to scream at her.
I read this devotional last week sometime and I chewed on it for a few days and then put my thoughts back on the shelf with that subject. I think we do this and then we forget about it when a real life experience comes our way where we have to put it into action. Here are is a couple of quotes that God reminded me of today.
"Most of us are conditioned to love those who return the sentiment. But in the kingdom, love is not a sentiment; its a choice. We would hope that eventually the choice will be followed by sincere feelings and genuine compassion, but it starts with a choice. The agape love that Jesus compels us to have for others cannot be answered with an "I don't feel like it." Feeling isn't the issue. The issue is whether we will live according to our citizenship in this kingdom of God"
"Love means loving the unlovable-or it is no virtue at all"
Luke 6:32 says, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?"
it is hard to love someone that has so little respect for others, but in the same, I am called to love her. I am not saying it is easy, but I have to someday get to the point where I love my enemies no matter how it hurts. For if He can release us from the debt we owe by making the ultimate sacrifice, how small of a task is it to just forgive?
7 comments:
Well put, my friend! Lerve you!
LMS
I can totally relate to you here. I've had the exact same experience. The verse the Lord gave me was Colossians 3:13. "bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." This was very hard because it caused me to meditate upon how Jesus has forgiven me. Completely. His forgiveness is mine for the asking. Freely given. And I was supposed to do THAT??? It was hard. God bless, I am enjoying your blog. Your little boy is a cutie! --Lynn
Very good!! Thanks!
I like this post. 1)I love when people are very honest in their posts and 2) I love it when someone writes about what God is doing with their heart. I love how he keeps working on ours everyday. As for mean comments, moms deserve the most utmost praise always. Inbetween poopy diapers and baby meltdowns, there is no room for negative comments. Only praise! Loving a mean woman is not easy. Kuddos to you for finding that place in your heart to forgive and love.
It amazes me how catty women can be sometimes. What in the world?!? It is so awful, childish, and mean. I remember dealing with that kind of hurt a lot in high school. And for some unfortunate reason, I think southern women pass it on more than New Englanders, or at least that has been my experience. I don't know why that is, and it saddens me, since the south is my home.
In any case, thanks for being so transparent and reminding all of us about how important it is to forgive.
I will say this, it is amazing how many women in this world let the devil take over their lives to gossip untruthful words. I know that everyone is guilty of it at times, but when the words are not correct - it is hurtful. It is funny how in life we grow by situations as these. As we get older, we learn what battles are worth fighting.
Kim
Hey Michelle!! Last time we talked you were pregnant with Keegan and now it is so great to see pictures of him and to read a bit about what's going on in your world. You have a beautiful baby!
Your post on loving others is awesome too. Thanks for sharing. -vicki (mata) myles
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