1 John 4:7-11
My dear friends, we must love each
other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that
we have been given new life. We are now God’s children, and we know him.
God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known him.
God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to
give us life. Real love isn’t our love for God, but his love for us. God
sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven. Dear
friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Children
and pets are great equalizers. It is amazing to me how much we will
overlook for both. Did the dog chew up your favorite shoe? He’s just
doing what puppies do. Did the kids spill juice on your living room
rug? They didn’t mean it. For years, we had a chenille couch and love
seat with arms that were perpetually shredded by our cat’s claws as they
climbed aboard. We just trimmed the strings with sharp scissors
periodically. Thankfully, that was a most forgiving fabric that never
went threadbare. But it somehow would not have mattered.
The
house I thought had to look spotless at all times less than a decade ago
now resembles Romper Room and/or the after-effects of a tornado – and
often all at once! And I am okay with that! In both instances, these
are “scars of love.” They demonstrate that life took place…and love,
tolerance and understanding were shared.
My point is that we are
willing to overlook a lot of things for our pets and our
children…because we love them unconditionally. We understand the love
of a cat snuggled on our lap – or a dog who faithfully nuzzles us for
affection. We relish the hugs and laughter of children…and their
unsolicited expressions of love.
For all that we overlook with
certain people and pets…we can surely be hard on others. I am amazed at
how it appears that some of us would walk across hot coals for our
children or pets…but we cannot even muster a smile or a kind word for
others. Our disdain – if not the downright hate that we feel toward
some - is palpable. There is a disconnect in our understanding that
these are God’s creatures, too. He loves them just as much as He loves
US!
God overlooks a bazillion things we do each day that
displease Him, out of nothing but pure love…and yet we cannot overlook
even some of the simplest “slights” from others. Still, we want to
claim the name of Jesus and declare that we are God’s children…bathed in
His love and offering it to the world!
It’s time to “get real.”
We’re not fooling God…and we’re probably not fooling most people,
either. And there is no way that we can please God and serve Him until
we begin to truly operate in love, grace, mercy, kindness, forgiveness,
and compassion – toward EVERYONE! It will never be enough just to say
that we love God and wish to serve Him. We have to go the second mile
and show it in our daily living and the way that we treat each
and every one of Hi’s creatures. Some of us have a lot of work to do in
this area. Don’t you think it’s time that we got started?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label love of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love of God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for February 10, 2011
Psalm 28:8-9
You give strength to your people, LORD, and you save and protect your chosen ones. Come save us and bless us. Be our shepherd and always carry us in your arms.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My maternal grandmother’s sister Mary Louise, died recently at age 89. She had moved into a local nursing home six years ago following the death of her husband. Her son and daughter visited last fall when she became quite ill but was still somewhat alert. Neither of them returned to Arkansas for her burial. The only surviving relatives who were able to attend the graveside service were my sister and me, and my niece.
When I arrived at the cemetery on a very cold, windy, but sunny morning, my niece had brought her baby, Timothy, along. She didn’t have anyone to watch him, and the service was going to be brief. Timmy was wearing his coat… and he had on long jeans, but he didn’t have any gloves. My niece said several times, “I didn’t realize it was going to be this cold.”
At the last minute, I had tucked a crocheted neck scarf and a long silk shawl into my car, along with my heavy wool coat. I got the scarf and tied it around Timmy’s hood to keep it in place, and then we wrapped him in the shawl to keep the wind off of his hands. He wanted me to hold him during the service, so I did. I decided his legs might be cold, so I unbuttoned my coat and wrapped it around him, snuggling him to me as the pastor spoke about our aunt.
I gently bounced Timmy as scripture was read, and when I glanced down, I saw his eyes begin to droop. Soon, his head plopped onto my chest, and he was sound asleep. I snuggled him close and “loved on him” – one of my favorite things to do. When the service ended, I handed him to his mother so she could put him back in the car, and she said, “Timothy, you are so warm!”
I thought about this later and realized… this is just how God snuggles us as Christians. We are wrapped in the safe warmth of His arms… shielded from the blustery winds and cold of life… then welcomed home when we die. He loves us so much and delights in the time when we draw close and rest in Him. It is one of His favorite things to do, also!
When was the last time you let God “love on you?” When was the last time you surrendered and let Him hold you… take your cares and your concerns… and snuggle you in the warmth of his embrace. How long has it been since you rested and “napped” nestled against God’s chest? Isn’t it time you did? Wouldn’t His warmth feel good right about now? Let God hold you and give you comfort. Feel His arms surround you and provide you with a soft place to fall. He’s ready… are you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
You give strength to your people, LORD, and you save and protect your chosen ones. Come save us and bless us. Be our shepherd and always carry us in your arms.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My maternal grandmother’s sister Mary Louise, died recently at age 89. She had moved into a local nursing home six years ago following the death of her husband. Her son and daughter visited last fall when she became quite ill but was still somewhat alert. Neither of them returned to Arkansas for her burial. The only surviving relatives who were able to attend the graveside service were my sister and me, and my niece.
When I arrived at the cemetery on a very cold, windy, but sunny morning, my niece had brought her baby, Timothy, along. She didn’t have anyone to watch him, and the service was going to be brief. Timmy was wearing his coat… and he had on long jeans, but he didn’t have any gloves. My niece said several times, “I didn’t realize it was going to be this cold.”
At the last minute, I had tucked a crocheted neck scarf and a long silk shawl into my car, along with my heavy wool coat. I got the scarf and tied it around Timmy’s hood to keep it in place, and then we wrapped him in the shawl to keep the wind off of his hands. He wanted me to hold him during the service, so I did. I decided his legs might be cold, so I unbuttoned my coat and wrapped it around him, snuggling him to me as the pastor spoke about our aunt.
I gently bounced Timmy as scripture was read, and when I glanced down, I saw his eyes begin to droop. Soon, his head plopped onto my chest, and he was sound asleep. I snuggled him close and “loved on him” – one of my favorite things to do. When the service ended, I handed him to his mother so she could put him back in the car, and she said, “Timothy, you are so warm!”
I thought about this later and realized… this is just how God snuggles us as Christians. We are wrapped in the safe warmth of His arms… shielded from the blustery winds and cold of life… then welcomed home when we die. He loves us so much and delights in the time when we draw close and rest in Him. It is one of His favorite things to do, also!
When was the last time you let God “love on you?” When was the last time you surrendered and let Him hold you… take your cares and your concerns… and snuggle you in the warmth of his embrace. How long has it been since you rested and “napped” nestled against God’s chest? Isn’t it time you did? Wouldn’t His warmth feel good right about now? Let God hold you and give you comfort. Feel His arms surround you and provide you with a soft place to fall. He’s ready… are you?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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