2002-07-27 - Loving Them

Last week I was having an especially hectic day. I had enough of everything and everyone. I wanted a break, and I knew I wasn't getting one anytime soon. We were rushing to get the daycare kids ready to be picked up so we could make it to the chiropractor. One mother was running late. The last two children finally left, and I grabbed my purse to run out the door, as everyone else was waiting in the car. It was 5:30, our appointment was at 5:30, and we had to be at church by 7:00 pm. Our church is an hour away. Halfway down the steps, the phone rang. It was a single mom who was upset and needed to talk. I explained I had to run. Feeling bad, I opened the door, only to be greeted by a young woman, tears running down her face, very upset about a fight with her parents.

As we drove to church, I closed my eyes and explained to God that I had nothing left to give anyone. I was tired and had enough for one day. Me, the "fixer." Then quietly God answered me and reminded me that all He had asked me to do was to "love them," to love the people He placed in my life. He was the one who would do the work, not me.

I needed to be obedient. He would accomplish that which He set out to do, with or without my help. I think sometimes, maybe it is pride that makes me think I can be "superwoman" and I forget to rely on Him and His word. It is God's word that assures us that in Him we will find rest. I found it freeing to know not only would God do the work, but that He gives us His love to love others with.

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. Romans 12:10

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Cor. 13:4-7

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 1 John 4:12

Psalm 122:6

In His Service,
Rick & Sandy

 liv4yeshua@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org