I’m fifty-something years old; I am officially allowed to park in the “Seniors” spaces in the church parking lot (though my pride won’t allow me to do so); I have five grandchildren I adore; but I’m still blessed with the youth to call my Daddy’s house every morning and ask, “How’s Grandmother doing today?”
At ninety-five, her body is failing her. But her mind and spirit are strong. I think of her when I read, “...the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” Titus 2:3-5.
All of my life, my Grandmother has been reverent in her behavior, a teacher of good things, chaste, and she still honors the memory of her husband, as she honored him in life. What a blessing it has been to have had her in my life all of these years.
I am grateful for each day that God blesses us with her continued presence. But I’m even more grateful for the time in eternity God has already granted us to be with Him and each other forever!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Love Or Lie?
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar...
1 John 4:20
I recently learned that a brother in Christ, who had broken trust with me and caused hurt to many others, had finally been found guilty of his crime and imprisoned...literally hand-cuffed and hauled off to jail. Can you guess how I responded to the news? I was happy! A feeling of self-righteous vindication welled up in me.
Then God reminded me of the many times I had broken trust with Him and caused hurt to others. The fact that my failures were not illegal doesn’t change the fact that I’m still reaping the consequences. Neither does it mean that I need God’s grace and forgiveness any less than my incarcerated brother.
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you...Luke 6:28
Lord, please help me to bless rather than curse, and pray rather than gloat over this fallen brother, so I can say “I love God,” and not be found a liar.
1 John 4:20
I recently learned that a brother in Christ, who had broken trust with me and caused hurt to many others, had finally been found guilty of his crime and imprisoned...literally hand-cuffed and hauled off to jail. Can you guess how I responded to the news? I was happy! A feeling of self-righteous vindication welled up in me.
Then God reminded me of the many times I had broken trust with Him and caused hurt to others. The fact that my failures were not illegal doesn’t change the fact that I’m still reaping the consequences. Neither does it mean that I need God’s grace and forgiveness any less than my incarcerated brother.
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you...Luke 6:28
Lord, please help me to bless rather than curse, and pray rather than gloat over this fallen brother, so I can say “I love God,” and not be found a liar.
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