A week ago Paul and I received a call that our niece had overdosed and was being rushed to the hospital. Off we went to the ER where we sat until around 2 in the morning. The hospital policy is that only two people can be in the room at a time so we took turns visiting. When it was my turn, as I sat next to my niece's bed.......it struck me. She was sleeping as I sat there and while she slept her face looked like the little girl I used to play with. The little girl we had funny nicknames for and who used to spend the night with us snuggled in bed between the two of us. The little girl I watched Charlie & the Chocolate Factory with a thousand times. And I had to ask myself..........how do you go from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory to a suicide attempt at 19? The answer...........PAIN. It doesn't matter if I understand the pain, approve of the pain or what I think. It's not about me. It's about a young girl who for a moment in time thought death would be easier than life.
It was scary coming face to face with the reality that she wanted to die. That she could have been gone from my life forever. I was surprised at how sharp that pain was.
The pain that was equally as sharp was knowing that there have been times when I have resisted getting involved and trying to help because I thought she really didn't want my help or because her life was too messy. Ouch! Not exactly what Jesus would do, huh?
I know that I can't save her. That's between her and God but I can do my best to be more involved in her life and to point her to the answer for her pain - a relationship with God. At 19 that probably doesn't look that interesting but I was only 24 when I was right where she was and it was God and God alone that intervened and saved my life. He never gave up on me. Never turned his back on me. Just like Jesus. Jesus waded right into the middle of people's messy lives and when he showed up - circumstances changed. The blind saw. The deaf heard. The lame walked.
Lord my neice needs a miracle. She needs you. She needs your love. Use me Lord to reach her for you and forgive me for all the times I didn't reach out with your love. Give me your eyes to see her. Your heart to love her & your wisdom to guide her. Amen.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
What Does Love Look Like?
This is what I picture love looking like.
It's loving regardless of mistakes that have been made.
It's loving those that don't always appear very loveable.
It's accepting that I am imperfect and yet I am loved.
I didn't do anything to earn it.
I don't deserve it.
Yet I am loved. Perfectly.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The Royal Rule
Read James 2.
Discuss:
Don't let the opinion of others influence your faith. Our faith walk is not supposed to be about doing things to please other people or to "look good" or to get a better "position". James gives an example of a rich man and a homeless man entering a church. Would you usher the rich man to the "best seat in the house" and ignore the homeless man? Our motives matter. We can make ourselves look great by serving others but if our serving has strings attached or is covering up a selfish motive it will not please God. Jesus should be the reason behind everything we do.
The Royal Rule - Loves Others As You Love Yourself.
Jesus loved the down & out. He ate with them. He hung out with them. He entrusted his church into their hands. By today's standards Jesus' disciples would probably be labeled "losers". They had no homes, they didn't hold down regular jobs. They didn't ride the nicest camels. (Okay I couldn't help myself there). The point is ........... Jesus saw something in them that the rest of the world didn't. Just like Jesus sees things in you that others don't always see. We will only see these things in ourselves and in others when we walk and talk and act in LOVE. Talk and act like a person exepcting to be judged by this rule. Love Others. This is the rule that sets us free. If you refuse to act kindly you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy will beat harsh judgment every time.
NOW GO & DO! LOVE OTHERS. YOUR MOTHER, YOUR FATHER, YOUR SISTER, YOUR BROTHER, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR ENEMIES, THE HOMELESS PERSON ON THE STREET, THE BULLY, THE LONELY, THE LOST. LOVE THEM ALL.
Discuss:
Don't let the opinion of others influence your faith. Our faith walk is not supposed to be about doing things to please other people or to "look good" or to get a better "position". James gives an example of a rich man and a homeless man entering a church. Would you usher the rich man to the "best seat in the house" and ignore the homeless man? Our motives matter. We can make ourselves look great by serving others but if our serving has strings attached or is covering up a selfish motive it will not please God. Jesus should be the reason behind everything we do.
The Royal Rule - Loves Others As You Love Yourself.
Jesus loved the down & out. He ate with them. He hung out with them. He entrusted his church into their hands. By today's standards Jesus' disciples would probably be labeled "losers". They had no homes, they didn't hold down regular jobs. They didn't ride the nicest camels. (Okay I couldn't help myself there). The point is ........... Jesus saw something in them that the rest of the world didn't. Just like Jesus sees things in you that others don't always see. We will only see these things in ourselves and in others when we walk and talk and act in LOVE. Talk and act like a person exepcting to be judged by this rule. Love Others. This is the rule that sets us free. If you refuse to act kindly you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy will beat harsh judgment every time.
NOW GO & DO! LOVE OTHERS. YOUR MOTHER, YOUR FATHER, YOUR SISTER, YOUR BROTHER, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR ENEMIES, THE HOMELESS PERSON ON THE STREET, THE BULLY, THE LONELY, THE LOST. LOVE THEM ALL.
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