Of all the precious ideas and beliefs and truths that I have discovered in Bible study, my favorite subject is love. Like I am sure many people would agree, many of us, especially women, think of a romantic, Valentine's Day kind of love. Maybe some think of the love they have for their children. But what about God's love for us? Is there a more powerful force in existence? Really try to imagine what it takes to give your son, your own flesh and blood, to a bunch of people who, frankly, are unworthy. Imagine being the Son, and being willing to take this cup. This is a big deal. Imagine the grace it took to be nailed to a cross, and still ask God to forgive those who pounded the nails into His tender flesh. That is love greater any that can be reproduced here on Earth. But wouldn't it be great if we tried to imitate it? I am not talking about being nicer to your spouse or kids, but really loving everyone we come into contact with. The mean people, the dirty people, the people who make us want to wash our hands, or turn the other way. Even your mortal enemy at work. Even the young driver who cut you off in traffic while texting and applying lip gloss, yes, even her.
I am fortunate enough to have a mom who showed me the best example of love I have ever seen. I hate to think what kind of person I would be if I had not had her beuatiful example of truly unconditional love. She raised three of the biggest brats who ever lived. But no matter how bratty we were, and no matter how we may have talked to her in an ugly way, she ALWAYS loved us. Perhaps she should have disciplined us more, but she gave us the beautiful gift of love. I will always be grateful to her for this.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Well, shut my mouth!
Now go; I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say.~ Exodus 4:12
I have a rich imagination. I was an only child until the age of seven, and I had to entertain myself a lot. So I became somewhat of a daydreamer, dreaming up stories and tales. I even told a few tales, which got me into a little trouble, like the time my dad overheard my declaration that I was allergic to mustard. It just seemed more interesting to say I was allergic than to say I hated mustard. As an adult, I am still a daydreamer. I have to make a concerted effort to focus on my work. And in my personal life, I am still a daydreamer. I imagine the life I wish I had. I even imagine terrible things at times, especially when someone I care about is late. But mostly, I imagine what I would say to someone in a given situation. In work, in my love life, with my friends, and with my enemies, I find myself practicing, or rehearsing what I will say, or what I want to say, or even what I wish I had said. Eventually, God started to call me on this. So I made a vow to stop. But guess what? It is really hard to stop this habit! I find myself slipping back into the habit almost daily, and I have to constantly remind myself to let God handle my mouth. Looking back, all that practice really never helped. I often thought as a child that I could possibly be a lawyer. My mother even told me several times that I would be a good lawyer, although I don't think she meant it as a compliment. But in a way, I can see what she meant. I sometimes prepare for my interactions with others with the fervor of a group of district attorneys bent on conviction. When I feel the gentle whisper of God telling me to stop, I always want to argue, "But how will I know what to say?" I whine. Then one day, God led me to this verse, and I realized that even a great Biblical character like Moses was afraid he wouldn't say the right things. What relief! I am not saying that it is always easy. Bad habits die hard. But I find this verse to be a comfort when I know I have a challenging situation to handle.
I have a rich imagination. I was an only child until the age of seven, and I had to entertain myself a lot. So I became somewhat of a daydreamer, dreaming up stories and tales. I even told a few tales, which got me into a little trouble, like the time my dad overheard my declaration that I was allergic to mustard. It just seemed more interesting to say I was allergic than to say I hated mustard. As an adult, I am still a daydreamer. I have to make a concerted effort to focus on my work. And in my personal life, I am still a daydreamer. I imagine the life I wish I had. I even imagine terrible things at times, especially when someone I care about is late. But mostly, I imagine what I would say to someone in a given situation. In work, in my love life, with my friends, and with my enemies, I find myself practicing, or rehearsing what I will say, or what I want to say, or even what I wish I had said. Eventually, God started to call me on this. So I made a vow to stop. But guess what? It is really hard to stop this habit! I find myself slipping back into the habit almost daily, and I have to constantly remind myself to let God handle my mouth. Looking back, all that practice really never helped. I often thought as a child that I could possibly be a lawyer. My mother even told me several times that I would be a good lawyer, although I don't think she meant it as a compliment. But in a way, I can see what she meant. I sometimes prepare for my interactions with others with the fervor of a group of district attorneys bent on conviction. When I feel the gentle whisper of God telling me to stop, I always want to argue, "But how will I know what to say?" I whine. Then one day, God led me to this verse, and I realized that even a great Biblical character like Moses was afraid he wouldn't say the right things. What relief! I am not saying that it is always easy. Bad habits die hard. But I find this verse to be a comfort when I know I have a challenging situation to handle.
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