Last night Kristi, Gracelyn, and I were on our way back home after a trek to the local Wal-Mart, when Gracelyn said, "You know why we have the bestest family?"
Kristi inquired, "why?"
Gracelyn then replied, "because we love each other."
Gracelyn seems to be a source of wisdom often for me. Although Gracelyn said very little, her words still resonate in my heart today. She knows that we love each other. She can feel it. This love isn't just a love that lets her do whatever she wants whenever she wants at the expense of everyone else. This love has boundaries. Sometimes it disciplines, sometimes it hurts, sometimes it comforts. It forgives, it listens, it gives... To her, this is what characterizes our family.
The church is supposed to be a family right? If so, then what should characterize it? Jesus says in John 13:34, 35 that all men will know we are His followers if we love one another as He loved us.
Love should characterize our church/our family. This love isn't just a love that says, "you do whatever you want, and I will love you." This love has boundaries. Sometimes it disciplines, sometimes it comforts, it forgives, listens, gives...Yes, it is true that we should love each other regardless of what we do, but letting someone do whatever they want, isn't love. That is being a poor steward of the relationship that God has allowed us to be a part of. We must consistently find ways to love each other the way that we have been loved by our Creator.
I hope that we will all be able to say to each other, "You know what makes us the bestest church family...we love each other."
May God bless you and keep you today, and may He give you the courage to love one another as He loved you through Jesus.
Tuesday, March 30, 2004