A photo I took in our dining room in 2022
Verses To Abide In
From The Heart
Since last week’s blog, I have continued to contemplate how I am doing at loving others as we are in this holiday season.
I had a moment during the week where I got frustrated when I put in an online order through my phone and it went through when I thought I still had one more step to double-check it. I was sitting with my husband and one of our sons at the time and complained about it.
They got the play-by-play of my thought process (I often think out loud): “What? I thought I had one more step! Ugh, it went through… probably defaulted to the credit card… oh bother. It did. It went to the wrong credit card….”
You get the idea.
My husband sweetly got up, without a word, went to his laptop, and fixed my mistake on our account (this man I have been so blessed with).
I knew I had some confessing to do. It simply went like this: “Will you guys forgive me for freaking out on you?” They did. We all knew I did not respond in a way that was enjoyable for anyone in the room. I was not yelling or screaming, but I was not loving and considering others’ interests above my own either. I was not bearing the fruit of the Spirit of love, nor others like self-control, patience, peace, and certainly not joy.
I was complaining. Sometimes loving is the absence of certain words and attitudes as much as it is the presence of them.
Let's Pray
Abba, you are love. Thank you for your love and forgiveness when we complain. It is so easy to do when our desires or expectations go unmet. It is so easy to sin in this way. Please forgive me. Forgive us for any unconfessed sin of complaining, lacking in loving others, or failing to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Help us not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom we have been sealed for the day of redemption. Enable us to let go of, to get rid of, all bitterness, rage, and anger. Help us to be kind to one another, forgiving one another, as you, in Christ, forgave us (Ephesians 4:30–32). We trust in you. Move in us and empower us to bear the fruit of the Spirit instead of the flesh. May we overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In the name of Jesus, whose love was so great that while we were still sinners he died for us (Romans 5:8). You are our trust, Lord (Jeremiah 17:7b). Amen.
Abounding In Love
Last week I shared this song, but I think it is fitting still in having His love be forefront on our minds so we can better love others. Also, I am not sure the link I shared gave the whole song. Here is the full version on YouTube (it is also available on laurabreece.com for free in the music section):