In 1 Peter 4: 8-10, we read: “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
“But you don’t understand, Grandfather. Robbie was mean to me. And I did’t do anything.”
“Hmm. You did nothing to him?” Timmy shook his head. “Interesting.” Grandfather paused. “Timmy, How would you like to be a good steward?”
“What’s a ‘good steward?’ Is it fun?
“Can be, Son.” Grandfather smiled. “Depends on you.
“I thought you and Robbie were best friends, Timmy.”
With a dipped head, Timmy mumbled. “Me, too, until now.” He raised his head. “Not any more.”
“Do you like the way you feel inside?”
“No, Grandfather. My heart’s not smiling.”
Grandfather smiled. “Tell you what. Pretend that you’re Robbie and Robbie is you.”He held up his hand. “Pretending, remember? What could you do to make him your friend again?”
“I’d tell him he’s my friend and that’s more important than fighting. He can have first place at bat.” He grinned at Grandfather.
I’ve had hurt feelings, been offended by friends, yet think nothing of it when I offend them. If I turn things around, I see the problem from their prospective. When I love someone, I must remember love covers a multitude of offenses. Therefore I choose to be hospitable, to love, for the Lord Jesus promises to love me with an everlasting love. Even when I sin. And I tend to do that--a lot.
Kingdom Thinking. Intense love, God’s love, shows me He laid down his life for me. He wants me to love with His intense love--God, others and myself. He has promised never to leave nor forsake me. He offers the same promises to you. Won’t you come to Him? He waits for you.
“But you don’t understand, Grandfather. Robbie was mean to me. And I did’t do anything.”“Hmm. You did nothing to him?” Timmy shook his head. “Interesting.” Grandfather paused. “Timmy, How would you like to be a good steward?”
“What’s a ‘good steward?’ Is it fun?
“Can be, Son.” Grandfather smiled. “Depends on you.
“I thought you and Robbie were best friends, Timmy.”
With a dipped head, Timmy mumbled. “Me, too, until now.” He raised his head. “Not any more.”
“Do you like the way you feel inside?”
“No, Grandfather. My heart’s not smiling.”
Grandfather smiled. “Tell you what. Pretend that you’re Robbie and Robbie is you.”He held up his hand. “Pretending, remember? What could you do to make him your friend again?”“I’d tell him he’s my friend and that’s more important than fighting. He can have first place at bat.” He grinned at Grandfather.
I’ve had hurt feelings, been offended by friends, yet think nothing of it when I offend them. If I turn things around, I see the problem from their prospective. When I love someone, I must remember love covers a multitude of offenses. Therefore I choose to be hospitable, to love, for the Lord Jesus promises to love me with an everlasting love. Even when I sin. And I tend to do that--a lot.
Kingdom Thinking. Intense love, God’s love, shows me He laid down his life for me. He wants me to love with His intense love--God, others and myself. He has promised never to leave nor forsake me. He offers the same promises to you. Won’t you come to Him? He waits for you.