Just as the North Pole receives many letters from children addressed to Santa, the U.S. Post Office receives many addressed simply "GOD".
One letter from a little girl named Nan sums up our struggle with the command to love your neighbor. It starts in your own home.
I think we have all had times when we can relate to Nan's letter which starts:
DEAR GOD,
Leviticus 19:18
" 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Luke 10:27
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "
We have heard these words all our lives. We know God commands us to Love, and yet just loving the people in our own families can be a challenge.
I find myself justifying my bad reactions to other people's behavior or justifying my bad actions that have offended others. God wants me to love my neighbor, love my family, love myself and ultimately (according to these scriptures) I must love Him first in order to love anyone else.
It is hard to love the 'Unlovely' and yet God commands us to love. When there have been cross words, disappointments or disrespect it is tough to remember we are commanded to love. So let's cut each other some slack. This week I want to work on making a choice to love as an action not just a feeling; starting right in my own home.
How about you?
I love you and want you to know God loves you.
Just Thinkin',
Kathy
Sharing stories, devotions, humor, and wisdom for your journey. Our mission at A Gentle Answer Ministries is to encourage readers to seek God and apply the truth and wisdom found in the Bible to their everyday lives. Invite someone to join us today.
Share This
Find Us on Facebook
Search
-
Life Application: When the unexpected attacks come your way...it is best to keep your mouth shut! You're Welcome. -------------------...
-
From The Archives: Many of you know our story of job loss after 9/11. Unless you've heard me speak, you might not know the back story ...
-
Standing at the corner of Faith and Reason... I have reached a conclusion. God is not reasonable. Has He asked something unreasona...
-
How can I be lost? I was in a new town for almost 9 months. I had driven the same route 21 miles one way...21 miles back... ev...
-
(Original Publication Date 12/31/15 Reposting for a dose of real! Happy 34th Richard!) This is where I am supposed to post somethin...
-
by Adrianne Lonsinger A friend is hosting her first Christmas Eve dinner at her house and...she's pregnant. She asked for advice, ...
-
If you are a parent...or a kid...you will know what I am talking about... (so pretty much...everyone): I have noticed how all of my child...
-
Some of us are sending our kiddos off to school this week. Some are relieved...some are not ready to let go just yet. Our youngest is -toda...
-
This...is the age of the Judge TV Show. This is the age of lawsuits and demanding my rights. Lawyers on TV offering to get you what'...
-
A Partridge? A Pear Tree? Not Danny Bonaduce In a Bradford? Not David Cassidy? Oh...my Bad! The Twelve Days of Christmas The Mean...