Do I Love You?

Yesterday, my husband and I attended a breakfast with a group of friends. We are a very diverse group, with one thing in common; we all own and enjoy Goldwing motorcycles.
This is the one thing that keeps us united and, although our bike riding season here in Canada has come to an end for the next six months or so, we continue to get together each month.

But as it is with any group of people who unite together, there will be differences; many differences. There are differences about what the best color is for the bike, which seat is most comfortable, should highway pegs be used, and so it goes; on and on.

There are certainly differences in our beliefs and lifestyles as spiritual beings as well. Some are Christians, others are not. Some are church goers, others are not. But one thing I think is vitally important, particularly for those of us who are Christians, is that we continue to love those who practice a lifestyle not acceptable for us.
Jesus set this example for us; those outside of our knowledge and belief simply don’t know what they are doing.

Forgive them Father.

Yesterday, at the close of the breakfast, as I went around wishing those I would not see until the New Year a Merry Christmas, I came upon a fellow Christian woman friend of mine, speaking to one of the men. I broke in, saying I wouldn’t see them until the New Year and wanted to wish them each a Merry Christmas. They wished me the same; idle chatter followed and then the gentleman began to speak about his recent vacation to Las Vegas. I listened, and as he spoke, I glanced over and noticed my friend making a face; a grimace; a frown.

I was embarrassed.

This lovely woman showed her extreme displeasure to this mans choice of vacation spot. Las Vegas, to her, is gambling and only gambling. Now I don’t know if that is what he did while there, maybe so, he didn’t speak of it, but her judgment and condemnation was quite evident and I couldn’t help but wonder how it made him feel.

He seemed a bit uncomfortable, but continued to share. The next time I turned towards my Christian friend, she had slipped away, unnoticed by me.

I share this with you this morning because I don’t believe our Lord would condone our poor manners; our lack of love. We don’t judge and condemn those who are outside of the church, in the hope to bring them inside. That method has been tried and doesn’t work.
That method keeps the church doors closed tight against others; it keeps them outside.

So, please, just love others; just as you desire to be loved….and accepted.

1Corinthians 13
If I have not love, I am nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
Love never fails.
As a child, I reasoned like a child.
I am an adult now, so I put childish ways behind me.
Now, I see but a poor reflection, as in a mirror; then I shall see face to face.
Now I know in part: then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE.
Amen!

You Gotta Be Ready

Over the past few years, I have lost loved ones; family members, friends, acquaintances and neighbors, through death. In fact, just last evening, while out for a walk, my husband remarked on how many widows now live in our immediate neighborhood. There were none when we moved here a short thirteen years ago.

My mind immediately went to our neighbor’s husband, Art. He passed away six months ago. I remembered how he had shared with us about another neighbor’s nephew who had seen him sitting in his wheel chair in his driveway. The nephew was on his way to his uncle’s house; his uncle is a pastor, just up the street. Art shared of how this young fellow had approached him and asked him if he knew the Lord. Upon Art’s affirmative response, the young man offered to pray for Art.

I remember how deeply touched Art was……days later he was able to walk again. This was nothing less than a miracle; the Lord had heard and answered prayer. Maybe Art needed to know the Lord really was with him; maybe he needed to return to a serious relationship with the Lord; I don’t know. But I do know that Art had regained the strength to walk again, until it was almost time for him to go home.

Then I recalled another neighbor. This neighbor was much younger; he lost his life in a trucking accident, almost a year ago now. I thought of how his wife must have felt when she opened the door to the police and was given the dreaded news of her husband’s death. This man knew the Lord well. He was an elder in the church; he was a kind and gentle man. He was known by others to often use this phrase: “You gotta be ready, ‘cause you just never know when the Lord will take you home. You gotta be ready.”

It is in moments such as these that I am reminded once again of how precious life is…how valuable people are…how the Lord uses others to speak to me.

It is the Lord who gives us strength; the strength to walk through this life where we experience the hills and the valleys. It is the Lord who calls us to follow Him; to walk close by His side and to always be ready for His return.

I am grateful for the Lord’s faithfulness.

I am grateful that His faithfulness calls me into question; to re-examine my faith; my own personal walk.

He uses those around me to remind me He is there; He is here; with me; right now.

So, right now, I will use this time to pray……