Love Beyond Words

       During my recent birthday and after a nice breakfast with friends I felt called to go to a scenic place alone. The Sunday before the Lord said instead of spending it keeping busy with friends all day that He wanted me to quiet myself and listen to Him. He wanted to speak to my heart. I found a river with waterfall and bridge nearby, I sat first listening to worship then waited....... He led me to Ephesians 3:16-19. I won't print it, I want you to pick up your bible and read it.
      I have heard so many diverse definitions lately about love, from one spectrum to another. It all depends where folks are spiritually I guess. If they are angry and judgmental then love is harsh, if they are permissible and carnal then God's love is a carte blanche for any behavior. I prayed hard that day (and every day) for Him to permeate through it all and reach me. I do not have all the answers. I am a sinner, a faulty human being at my best. But I serve a Holy God who is merciful beyond my understanding, and He has given me a great gift, His Holy Spirit. And Oh what a gift! Without Him where would I be? I couldn't even find myself out of a paper bag without Him.
      I came away with this, I need Him every day and every minute to lead me and to guide me. He is the light in this great darkness we call the world. And He alone can fill us and teach us what His love truly is. While some of you seek to make something great of yourself, a question arises often lately, "How do you treat the ones you live with?". It does not matter if you preach amazingly, you sing like an angel, you have a mountain of degrees, or vast wealth accumulated by great success, if you cannot treat the ones you live with, with kindness and patience, then you have missed it my friend. Behind closed doors how do you respond to those nearest you. I lived with a great example, my husband. With abounding love shown daily by service, patience, kindness and passion he showed me the Savior. It has remained the greatest conviction in my life and I seem unable to move away from it. It has been a central force thrusting me to humble myself daily before my Savior to be the same.
             I Corinthians 13 was written almost 2 thousand years ago and yet it is read and quoted to this day. What greater way can bring conviction and repentance to this world? It does not mean that I live for this world, follow its ways, or be entertained by it, but that I understand that each individual is a soul and that soul needs to experience God's love. Our Lord said it is easy to love those that love you, but to love  those that hate you, use you, disrespect you, well that is God's love. And if we cannot treat the ones we live with by the love of 1 Corinthians 13 then how the world?
         Its surprising to me how many people think it such a sacrifice to have moved in with my parents in their old age to help. It is not. I have been served and loved with great passion. I was taught what real love is. This next saying is not new but it is very true. No one cares how much you know till they know how much you care. Before you throw words at someone, try showing them God by your actions. As Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel and when necessary use words". Love the ones God has given you with His heart and watch the change that will come. Oh....not first in them my friend but in you. Their change may come or it may not, but that will not release you from showing them continuous patience and kindness. This we cannot do without the Holy Spirit Who sheds abroad in our hearts the love of God. (Romans 5:5)  I need Him, You need Him, the world needs Him. Let us show them Who He is..........By this the world will know we are His disciples........John 13:35

Read: Ephesians 3:16-19; Romans 5:5; I Corinthians 13