Dear Ones, Hope you had a lovely Memorial weekend. I will tell you about our Memorial Day as it was very memorable, including a trip to the ER. That story will be for another day, perhaps tomorrow. Today I go to the dentist for a 7:30 appointment as I prefer to get the least favorite things out of the way first.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We can say we love others, but do our actions prove that we do? In I John 3:18 we read, “Let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.” Lately I have come across many articles on loving and especially loving those that are hard to love, which of course will also include us, for we may be hard for someone else to love. I recently read about St. Therese of Lisieux who suffered and died when only 24 years old. In her short life as a nun, she sometimes sought out quarrelsome and unfriendly sisters so that she would become more like the Good Samaritan who helped the wounded traveler. One sister continually threw dirty water in her face, but Therese thought of such trials as opportunities to exhibit God’s grace. We probably must all confess we have a long way to go in loving others!

A big fruit of the Spirit we need when loving others is patience, for that is the first thing that is mentioned in I Cor. 13. Love is patient and kind!! Patience is something we must learn and doesn’t come easily, but we can ask the Lord to help us. It is perfected when we go through trials: others aren’t doing what we would like or as fast as we would like. Love is also not jealous, afraid that someone will get ahead or have more than us. Love is not proud or boastful, wanting to be first, but has the focus on others. Love is also not rude, but polite and considerate of others. It is not selfish, but laying down our wants and showing thought for others. Love doesn’t record evil and hurts, but forgives quickly and guards against bitterness. It actually believes the best in others and doesn’t take offense. Love wants what is fair, does not like injustice, and seeks to make a difference.

Love never fails or gives up. We may not see results quickly, but in the long run love wins. It takes patience to wait and keep showing love before we see any positive results, and it may not even occur in our life time…but love can get through to the hardest heart.

Challenge for today: Show love to someone who you consider hard to love and seek to see the best in them.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy