Double doozie

January 18 challenge: Accept someone today. Do not judge them. Just accept them for who they are. 

We as a nation spend entirely too much time criticizing others and forgetting that we are no where near perfect.  Jesus spent time with some pretty rough people.  And he loved them all regardless of their past.  Just because someone is different, be it in opinions, looks, or lifestyle, we are very quick to assume the worst and look down on them.  However, there is always much more to their story.  Take the time to hear their story.  Love them through it.  I think that our world would be so much better if we all took the time to accept others.  It is not our job to judge.  That right is for the Lord on High alone. Until we are blameless, then we too are sinners just like them.

Matthew 7:1-5  “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.  For you will be treated as you treat others.  The standard you use in judging is the standard in which you will be judged.  And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?  How can you think of saying, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the unholy speck in your friend’s eye.”  NLT

 

 

January 19 challenge:  Be patient with those you love today. I personally will be working on this one today! Love is patient, love is kind.

 

Some days this is much more difficult than others!  Today was a pretty good day, overall.  My kids got along for the most part and they were able to play outside and release some of the pent up energy that has been pent up due to many rainy days.  However, there are times when I go to bed and wonder if I uttered one single kind word to any of them that day…My mom assures me that she too had these thoughts when we were little.  I imagine there are many others out there that feel the same way.  Some times I allow my own stresses and troubles to make me irritable and short.  Other days, they are honestly just horrid to one another and difficult.  No matter, we still need to be patient with them.   I love them regardless of their behavior.  It is a love that is unconditional.  God’s love for us is even more than that we have for our children.  How much more patient is He with us.  He continues to love us through any and all of our most difficult days, weeks, months, and years. 

 

Romans 8:38  “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.”  NLT

 

So for today, be patient, think before you speak harshly.  It will make a difference in the behavior that you are dealing with.  They will see something different and better in you.