“Don’t you realise that all of you together are the Temple of God and that the spirit of God, lives in you. God will destroy anyone who destroys this Temple. For Gods Temple is Holy.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.
The day before I’d been given the opportunity to help someone. This person is a new Christian. She had lost her job and the debts were piling up, so she had gone on a drinking spree. After bringing her home, feeding her, giving coffee and allowing her ramblings for 3 hours I decided she was appropriate to go home. Depositing her back at her car, she laughingly informed me, she was going for more drinks….
I went to bed angry. I was angry at her.
So God dealt with me. AFTER ALL…Who was I, to judge …. If God gave up on me that quickly each time I failed, where would I be to-day…… I never stop learning and growing in Him.
I am to love the unlovable…as Jesus did. I am to forgive the unforgivable…as Jesus did. Just as He loves me when I am unlovable! And He forgives me, when I am unforgivable.
We are to be kind without judgement.
And sometimes that's not easy.
Thank you for this very personal and reflective post. As we try to minister to others and love them, we can fall short of being who God wants us to be. That is our nature. But, He loves us and forgives us. He uses situations like this to mold us and shape us. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteMaybe your act of kindness will be one she remembers and holds onto for strength in days to come.I've found that many times, those who abuse drugs and alcohol are in need of medical help and are often self-medicating...whether they realize it or not.Her thoughtlessness in no way lessens the loving gesture you made toward her.You are very wise, indeed, to see the lesson the Lord gave you in this:)Maybe yours is the heart He meant to move, and He used that lady to do it?
ReplyDeleteThank you for these personal words. It is indeed difficult to do well. Her attitude hurts you, but you've tried to do what Jesus asks. And you learned from it.
ReplyDeleteGod will forgive your ( and my) sins. He is so gracious.
Greetings: Aritha
It is hard not to judge, but you still did a very giving thing and she will feel the positive effects from your generosity.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing a lesson learned with us. You're right. It isn't easy to be kind and not judge.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte
Dearest friends:
ReplyDeleteWhidbey woman,Thank you for your response, You are so right, situations are used to mould us. Thank you.
Happy Homemaker,Maybe she will remember it? I worked in Drug and alcohol detox for a time. It is a sad place and my heart went out to these suffering ones. I spoke to her about this and she is now there.Thank God. Thank you for saying maybe my heart was the one He meant to move...He surely did. Bless you so much.
Mama, bella mia, Thank you, yes I did surely learn.
Sabine, Thank you for your healing words of comfort. Bless you.
Charlotte, I hope I have learned that lesson. The trouble with us humans is that we forget too quickly. God bless you.
This post is so perfect. Something I think I need to be reminded of constantly. I fall so short way too often.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your preciou comments on my post about my grandson's brain injury. I can't begin to thank anyone who works with these patients enough. The tender, faithful and loving care that is given is beyond comprehension. You do know the complete struggle he went through, but with God leading the way every step, he is perfect. I so believe the Lord leads all of you who help with every word, deed and thought. You create miracles every day. I know the Lord has a special place for you in Heaven. God Bless and thank you for your work. Hugs, Marty
It's always good to do what we are called to do. But I have learned that we can't do things for them.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you,
Ginger
I understand your anger, but anger is usually the result of pain, either at your message being rejected or for the weakness of your friend. I suspect most of the people that I see commenting here understand both the anger and pain as well, or better, than I do. Had it not been for your post, I might not have been reminded of the pain the Lord must feel when I fail Him. God bless you for your kindness.
ReplyDeletewow, crystal mary, how very honest of you to dare and show yourself to be a believer who still has anger?? i wished all of us could share the struggles of what we go through as Christians! we aren't perfect but have the task to reach out to a dying and hurting world...i'm so glad, even in the midst of working through your anger, you still showed a heart that was willing to listen to Him :)
ReplyDeleteDear all,
ReplyDeleteMarty, God Bless you all also Marty. These patients were a joy to me. I remember so many of them. Every day we would labour with the same tasks and the day we got a response all the staff were ecstatic...Its a blessing to hear a great ending especially in one so young. Hugs.
Ginger, Thank you, Bless you.
Gorges, That is so right, Everytime we are hurt it should remind us of His hurt for us. Hugs.
Sheri, He wouldn't allow me to rest. But I learned even more today. We need to look within and serch oursleves constantly, not to become complacent. Hug my friend.
being kind, understanding, and tolerating is cool,
ReplyDeletewhen one judges, one take sides and someone gets hurt.
Thank you for the beautiful reflection of words.
Happy Monday!
Lovely post...
ReplyDeleteI needed to hear this today..give me a kickstart for the day..
thanks for sharing your heart.
glenda
Do what you do as unto the Lord ,& Don't worry about the outcome . All we are called to do is Be faithful to what He has asked us to do. I will pray for your friend .
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Myrna
Serendipity Woman and Daylily, Thank you both.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, Crystal, it's hard to not be angry when our ministry is taken as insignificant. But she wasn't ready to change, as much as we might wish she was. However, one never knows what will come of the seeds you planted. The day may come when she'll look you up and say the time you spent was what she needed. I hope so. :-)
ReplyDelete