Love the one your with?

I have two children. They are very different. One is just like me, the other is just like my husband.

Can you imagine which one I "get" the most? Yeah, the one who is just like me.

I try to "get" the other one, I really do. Some days are better than others.

 Other days, I just get exasperated. Why can't this child just do what I say?

Marriage and parenting have been the biggest growing-of-my-heart experience. Ever.

They have both taught me that life is not always about me. People are different. Very different. People don't see things like I see them. People don't feel things like I feel things.

 What's wrong with these people??!! {kidding}

Something about marriage and parenting changes your heart in a way that you never knew needed changing.

Here's the thing though--I have to be willing for God to use Lem and my kids to change my {often selfish} little heart. Some days, I don't budge. I pout, I whine, I am discontented.  

I have gotten angry, lost my temper, spouted unkind things to those precious peeps that live under my roof. 

Somewhere along the way though the Lord revealed something to my heart.....

He revealed that when I love them, serve them, and keep my mouth in check--regardless of how they are treating me--something glorious happens. Something only He is capable of doing.

The unruly kink that developed in that situation straightens out. My heart no longer feels hard, selfish, or angry. When I do what He tells me to do--even when it goes against the very grain of my stubborn flesh--a miracle happens. Peace resides. 

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:9

In turn, when I demand my own way, demand that I"m right, demand that they do what I want them to do..... an ache develops in my heart. An ache that comes from a heart pent up with selfishness. An ache that needs to be set free with an outpouring of love. 

So, when I come across a person, a situation, or whatever that I just don't "get", I now see that I don't have to "get" it. Who ever told me that I had to understand things or people to love them? 

I don't think God tells us to only love those that we we "get". Only have compassion on situations that we understand. Only give your time and talents to things and people that deserve them. 

Uh, no. 

Jesus tells us this: 

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

"The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:31

Who have you decided to give up on because you just don't "get" them? Who needs the love of Christ poured out on them even though they are different from you? Have  you shunned someone the Lord has deliberately put in your path for you to demonstrate His Love?

Aren't we glad that God doesn't use those same standards with us? I mean, who in the world on this earth--besides Jesus--would be worthy of the Love of our Creator??

Why do we think we are above showing this kind of love to those that we don't "get"?

Perhaps this is why Christians can get a bad reputation. We can get busy trying to be Holy, that we miss the whole entire message. Love one another. 

"Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude." 1 Peter 3:8

Are we willing to step out of our comfy little church seat and pour some love on a world that desperately needs Christ? 

I'm not even talking big mission here.

I'm talking loving our husbands, our kids, our parents, our hubby's parents, the family member with too many problems for us to care about anymore, our neighbors, our co-workers, the man or woman we pass every single day and never even glance at, the friend with one too many problems for you to listen to, the waitress with a bad attitude, the cashier that moves a little too slow for our busy schedules.....

Ah, are we getting the picture here?

Jesus is our example. In every area.

Let's see what He would say....

"35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:35-40

starting to "get" it,

jill