Dear Ones,
Burr it is cold. It was -26 when Al went to Men’s Group this morning! We will definitely be walking inside today. I made a veggie stir fry and other food prep, studied and went downstairs for coffee and donuts this morning. We have Bible Study this afternoon but we may have smaller attendance due to someone here having covid. We pray noone else will get it.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We are told to be loving to one another and we need to ask ourselves if we have compassion and seek to be used in sharing God’s love with others. In Eph 4:32 (ESV) Paul says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”…. But how does that look in our everyday lives?
Perhaps you also saw on Facebook the story of a man in Jasper, Alabama, who was at a lavish coffee bar. As he steps up to order a milkshake, he asks what flavors they have and the cashier told him to just read the list and decide what he wants, showing her impatience. He confessed that he didn’t know how to read and she responded by humiliating the man telling him to go to the back of the line while she waited on educated customers. But the customer behind him quickly stepped up and started reading the long list to him. She knew of someone who couldn’t read and showed empathy to this man. This whole scenario was really staged and John Quiones from the TV show, (What Would You Do?), steps out of hiding and commends her for helping this man. They reset the scene again and another gal quickly stepped up to also help read the menu as she had a grandpa who she loved that couldn’t read and wanted to save this man from humiliation. Another gal who was an educator had tears as she saw how this illiterate man was treated and came to his rescue as well. But there were also those that seemed outraged and even left the coffee bar and showed no empathy for this illiterate man.
How quick are we as followers of Christ to stand up for those who struggle in life or are we like those who join the crowd that snickers and judges without knowing the whole story? Are we willing to be inconvenienced to help others and show them love?God often uses His children to be those living illustrations of His love that others may come to know Him. When Jesus was preparing to leave this world, he told His disciples to love one another just as much as He loved them. (John 13:34-35) That is radical love! May we not hold back but love, love, love!
Challenge for today: Show love to someone today who needs uplifting. 
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy