Father, guide us so that we are truly able to celebrate the success of others, even when our lives aren’t going smoothly. Help us to show empathy and concern when there are people who need our compassion and understanding, even when we would prefer having a sympathetic ear for our own problems. May we always be willing to listen (and respond) with love.
Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love. [1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)]Guide us in our relationships, O Lord. Instead of trying to improve those we love, show us how to be better people ourselves. Remind us daily that love is patient and kind, never vindictive or intolerant. Help us choose to be generous and understanding rather than selfish or indifferent, considerate and respectful rather than insensitive or rude. Let your love lead us to forgive, not blame, and honor, not scorn. Bless the ones we love. Keep us mindful that maintaining any relationship requires a conscious choice and continual commitment if it is going to withstand the challenges of life.
As we gather with friends and family over the holidays, we may spend time reminiscing and sharing memories. “Remember when…?” we ask. Sometimes this recollecting causes us to pause and shudder. A memory of a wrong we committed rears its ugly head and we begin to feel shame and guilt. We remember the things we should have done and failed to do and the things we did that we shouldn’t have done but did. We remember harsh words, short tempers, deceitfulness, and other failings. We may remember, but, thank God, He doesn’t! Once forgiven, our sins are also forgotten.
Thank you, Lord, for your loving gifts of forgiveness and forgetfulness. Thank you, Lord, for this coming new year and another opportunity for us to get it right!
Discipline and punishment are two concepts that seem to have fallen out of favor and yet they teach us about living as we should: about accepting responsibility for our words and actions. They teach us self-restraint, the inevitability of consequences, and the importance of being true to ourselves and God. Oddly enough, I don’t remember ever thanking someone for punishing or disciplining me. In fact, I probably said unpleasant things about them under my breath. Today let’s give them some overdue thanks.
Thank you, Lord, for those people in the past who cared enough about us to demand good behavior and to teach us the difference between right and wrong. Thank you for those people in our lives today who won’t hesitate to chastise us when we err in our ways. Lord, thank you for correcting us by putting people in our lives who make us accountable for our conduct.
Oh Lord, thank you for pleasantly surprising me when people’s behavior has contradicted what I expected from their appearance. I think of the young man with spiked hair in skateboard attire (and his wife, with her piercings, crazy outfits and multi-colored hair) who minister to troubled youth; the tattooed young woman who joins in that ministry; the frail elderly man who builds houses for Habitat; the intimidating woman who surprised me with her gentle voice and loving spirit when she reached out her hand in friendship; the wealthy retired executive who stocks shelves at the food pantry and the unemployed day laborer who works with him; the multi-pierced woman with purple hair who counsels unwed mothers; the devout Arab Muslim who is a patriotic American; the teen in the gangster attire who is part of the music ministry; the motorcyclist who faithfully attends church every Sunday; and the list goes on.
Forgive me when I unfairly judge someone merely on their appearance, be it their race, sex, attire, the music they listen to, the car they drive, the job they have, or even the dog they are walking! Stereotyping and prejudice have no place in your kingdom. I expect people to give me the benefit of the doubt when they meet me; guide me, Lord, so I give them the same courtesy.
Fill us with your love, O Lord. Teach us to pay more attention to your positive message. Guide us so that we focus less on the shortcomings of those around us and more on their worth. Please, curb our critical spirits and remind us daily that we, too, have many faults! If you love us, with all our defects, we can surely find a way to love others as well.
Devotions of the Heart 