The Catholic elementary schoolkids lined up in the cafeteria, eagerly clutching their trays. At the head of the table was an enormous bowl of apples. One of the sisters had posted a note on it. "Take only one. God is watching."
Further down the lunch line, at the end of the table, was a large plate of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written this note: "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."
I couldn't resist this. It was so cute.
written in Country magazine December/January 2012
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Loving the Unlovable
Have you ever tried to love an unlovable person? For me, it was impossible. I tried and tried to love unconditionally, but sooner or later I would fall flat on my face, judging their heart self righteously. Being a Christian was getting too hard, and I felt condemned most of the time. Condemnation drove me to my knees. Once again I cried out to the Lord and confessed, "I can't love unconditionally. I am not you! I can't even be like you. You expect too much from me. Lord Jesus, I need you to show me how you love unconditionally?"
What I am about to share with you is the answer to that specific prayer. I know, because I know it is true, only the Lord Jesus can love unconditionally in the believer through the person of the Holy Spirit.
The following is my true story. My young six year old daughter and I were eating lunch in a downtown deli, when in walked the most unlovable looking person I had ever seen. She was a young teenager, wearing heels, no stockings, shorty shorts, and a tee shirt rolled up under her bra. Her hair was cropped, tied with a red bandanna around her head, bright red lipstick with a cigar hanging out of her mouth. It was amazing what happened to me as I looked at her. For the first time in my LIFE, I experienced God's unconditional LOVE for a human being. I was in love with my husband, and I loved my three adorable daughters, but I never realized until than the difference between God's love and human love. In the Deli that day, I experienced for myself God's unconditional love for a human being like never before. It wasn't me. It had to be God's love for Barbara. I invited her over to sit with us and bought her lunch. I truly loved her. I even invited her to my home for the afternoon because I wanted to get to know her more. She was a young troubled teenager, who lived in the area with her grandmother. By the grace of God I was able to lead her to the Lord with the little knowledge I knew at the time. She accepted.Jesus as her Lord and Savior. From that day on, Barbara and I became very good friends. I will try, as the Lord leads me, to share more stories about Barbara and God's unconditional love for her.
Romans 5:5 "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
(as believers)
What I am about to share with you is the answer to that specific prayer. I know, because I know it is true, only the Lord Jesus can love unconditionally in the believer through the person of the Holy Spirit.
The following is my true story. My young six year old daughter and I were eating lunch in a downtown deli, when in walked the most unlovable looking person I had ever seen. She was a young teenager, wearing heels, no stockings, shorty shorts, and a tee shirt rolled up under her bra. Her hair was cropped, tied with a red bandanna around her head, bright red lipstick with a cigar hanging out of her mouth. It was amazing what happened to me as I looked at her. For the first time in my LIFE, I experienced God's unconditional LOVE for a human being. I was in love with my husband, and I loved my three adorable daughters, but I never realized until than the difference between God's love and human love. In the Deli that day, I experienced for myself God's unconditional love for a human being like never before. It wasn't me. It had to be God's love for Barbara. I invited her over to sit with us and bought her lunch. I truly loved her. I even invited her to my home for the afternoon because I wanted to get to know her more. She was a young troubled teenager, who lived in the area with her grandmother. By the grace of God I was able to lead her to the Lord with the little knowledge I knew at the time. She accepted.Jesus as her Lord and Savior. From that day on, Barbara and I became very good friends. I will try, as the Lord leads me, to share more stories about Barbara and God's unconditional love for her.
Romans 5:5 "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
(as believers)
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