I took a break for a few days in order to allow new followers to catch up. So I hope you new folks have had a chance to read the beginning entries and think about the project and start thinking about love. Have you started to put some things into practice? How is it going?
I am really excited to be writing again. I have been trying to be more loving through acts of service and going the extra mile. I have to admit that I haven't noticed a big difference in my life overall. I'm struggling with the extra mile and my attitude this week. I'm praying that God will make my heart more willing and my mind more perceptive to the needs of those around me.
Through this God has brought my attention to another area of my life that needs improvement. My reactions. They aren't always the most loving. You know, like that instant when my kids decide to disobey or challenge me. Or, this week, when my four year old decided his pants made a better potty than the actual toilet. Let's just say that it probably wasn't love my son felt from me when I discovered his choice of bathrooms. Especially on the third day of him making that particular bad choice. How do I correct this? I think the practical answer is to take a breath before speaking or reacting at all. And in that second, purposefully think about a more loving reaction. And sometimes loving means scolding a child for misbehavior. But my attitude and word choices do make a difference! Doing this is a way to listen to God and allow Him to change my heart and direct my actions.
That brings me to the next thought that has been on my heart this week. God is love. Scripture tells us this. To become more loving our focus has to be on God. There is no other way. To discover what love really means, we must get to know God. If we don't know God we cannot expect to ever know or understand the fruit of love. We must spend time with Him in prayer and through Scripture to get to know God more. He will walk beside us, directing us in becoming more loving.
This doesn't necessarily mean spending hours a day reading the Bible and praying. Most of us can't really swing that kind of time and I believe that God understands this. But we have a responsibility to use what time we do have to get to know Him more. Even if that is only a few minutes at a time. Let's make this a priority! And just watch what God will do!
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What better way to teach our children the FOTS than by our actions? It has been my experience that if we treat (and discipline) our children with kindness, love and respect, they will do the same to us. Children learn from their parent's actions - both good and bad. It is a huge responsibility! And though you cannot see the results of your efforts most of the time, hang in there and don't give up. There is nothing more rewarding than to see your children grow up into responsible adults who love the Lord.
ReplyDeleteI did not succeed in showing love or reacting in love very well over the weekend. Ugghh. It is hard work and I know that the blessings and rewards are worth it. . .but still I think, "uggghhh". Along the same lines as Kristen, I've realy been trying to just live in the moment. Even if nothing appears as I want it to, in this moment I know that God LOVES ME. And to understand, accept, and feel this is really heart changing. In this moment I know that God wants to spend time with me, or in this moment I know that I have hope in God's promises, or in this moment I CAN claim His promises. God's resurrection power and strenth are enough for me to have hope that I will not always fail, but that I WILL be able to show unconditional love to those around me.
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