Pr. 10:12: Hatred stirs up trouble; love overlooks the wrongs that others do.
Overlooks the wrongs. Doesn’t take notice. Covers up. Makes up for. Forgives.
We went back to WV last weekend and kayaked about 3 miles down the river. It was hot that day, and the river was low, which mean there wasn’t much current. That can make some fun rapids, and it can be nice to be on the calm water for a bit; but after a while, it gets hotter, and the sun starts baking your skin.
As the temperature increased and my skin began to turn more red, I found myself seeking out the shady areas of the river. I was looking for a reprieve. I was looking for some relief.
I thought about how often, in life, others around us are looking for a reprieve. They’re just looking for someone to let-up for a while because life has been baking them so much and things have been uncomfortable for some time. They just need some relief.
Maybe that means we don’t remind them every time we see them of how disappointed we are with their choices, but instead we seek out some way to tell them how proud we are of something they’ve done.
Perhaps it means we don’t offer any advice this time, but just let them talk it out, and then we say we’re sorry for their pain and show them love.
Maybe it means we need to forgive them once and for all, and never bring it up again.
We could just need to completely change the way we speak. God can help with that.
Sometimes, just remembering that there have been times in our own lives when we have needed a reprieve, and just a little relief, instead of the constant beating down from outside sources.
If there is something that isn’t right between someone and the Lord, you can ask the Holy Spirit to guide you about if you should speak or not, and then if so how and when. I can assure you; however, that He won’t tell you to not let up and bring it up to them each time you see them, making them feel as though they are a failure or out of His reach.
In fact, praying for people is one of the most beautiful acts of love there is. Not for our own will and way, but genuine prayers of love for those that we love, just as we would pray for ourselves. God knows each one of our needs and will work out the plans He has for each one of our lives. He can be trusted. Hasn’t He show that in your own life?
Let’s give others some shade (in the best way), when we’re around them, and be the relief this world so badly needs.
“If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” Jo. 13:35
loving you,
jamie
considering the word 