January 31 - a gift found on a paper, in a person, in a picture
95/338 Godly news in an unexpected book
96/339 Encouraging words from my hairdresser
97/340 Big smiles of quilters holding up their completed blocks from the class I taught
February 1 - a gift found at 11:30a.m., at 2:30p.m., at 6:30p.m.
98/341 Brunch prepared by hubby
99/342 A project turning out just right
100/343 Clear skies for hubby's commute
Ann, from the blog "a holy experience," asked us, "How do you love in difficult places, our husbands, our children? How do we live out the greatest of these commandments?"
I told an experience I had to a friend just a couple of weeks ago that deals with this very subject. It was a couple of years ago that God called to my heart in the middle of night for about two weeks telling me to love my neighbors. I said to Him, "But Lord, You know my heart better than anyone and You know I love my neighbors." Every night, at 2:ooa.m. He would call to my heart and say the same thing, "Love your neighbors." And my answer would always be the same, "I do, Lord." Finally, the last night I said, "Lord, please tell me what you want me to do? I do love my neighbors!!" He then asked me, "How do you love the ones who are evil?" I said that was maybe bigger than I could handle. The Lord said, "Pray for them." He did know my heart. I usually prayed for the easy ones. The ones I loved. I wasn't praying for the ones who really needed my prayers. The evil rulers of this world. I just hated them, but to pray for them? For them to see God's light? Now there's a concept. So I try to do that now. Only God can truly change someone's heart.
There is a wonderful story of Samuel in the Bible. Please read 1 Samuel 3: 3-10, for inspiration. It has always been one of my favorite stories, as well as the song, "Here I am, Lord."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcxOkht8w7c
Blessings, Deborah
lovely post.
ReplyDeleteYes, praying for those who are unlovable is a beautiful way to shelter. Don't you just love it when God answers our specific questions? I think He knows when we are sincere.
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