Yesterday I picked up the paper to see a picture of the once revered Dutch Village Mall. How sad that is in the shape that it is in. Maybe you remember that the Angry Blueberry attempted to open a restaurant there. Some of you also know that the Angry Blueberry also lost some money in that venture. I did not have a good experience there. But here is the deal, those things happen in business. This is not what my feelings from the article are about though. My beef has to do with the need the author of this article felt to slander this business owner. To use his name and recite "anonymous" comments made by previous tenants. Is it necessary to berate someone in such away to get your point across? Does it stink that the mall is in such disrepair? YEP! Will it help to tear this man to pieces that was created by the same God as you and me....NOPE. What would help is if someone could buy it....I have seen for sale signs. I also know this guys runs a hard bargain....but some situations are not easy to deal with and our calling is to pray and wait. Not try to hurry things along with sharp words and forked tongues.
I am watching a similar situation happen to two dear friends of mine. I love them to bits. They have been good to me since the moment I moved into my neighborhood. Loved me at times like a daughter. Supported me, prayed for me, my children, my family. Come alongside in times they needed not. And yet I have heard on first account people attempting to tear them to shreds. They will not be torn. They will only be strengthened because God does that for the persecuted. He refines us in our times of struggle, He helps us to learn not only from our shortcomings but the shortcomings of others.
I can not help but question have we not been called to exhibit Grace and Love in all times and in all things? Ever heard the oldie but goody, They will know we are Christians by our love.? How often to we fail to follow this commandment, this claim. How often do we forget to love, we preach self control and grace but we leave it in our beds in the morning. Instead at times we bring our ugly mouths to the table and allow the sin to fill our breath, before remembering that it is God that gave us those mouths to preach the good news and to LOVE. To pull one another up not push one another down. What good is it to fill the air between you and another with ugliness.....God does not use it for what you intend. The truth will shine through and the lies will fall to ashes.
I felt ashamed to be a part of this town yesterday. As this story was on the front page...a witness to how we must treat others in this town. And I have been ashamed recently to be part of a body of believers that have failed to love in times of struggle and disagreement. There are ways to make your opinions known, ways to share your beliefs-even if the differ from others-, there are ways to disagree, in a way that is glorifying to God. In ways that leave none with bad feelings. We don't see it often but it can be done. My MIL always says bad feelings fester and that is so true. Bad feelings can fester if we leave them in and even when we let them out if we don't respond to Gods commandment to love and show grace first.
Heck in my own little group of the closest friends we have different viewpoints on all the(what we like to call) big things, religion, politics, social status, schools for our children. But do you know what reigns...our ability to love one another for who God has made each of us to be in Him, not what we wish one another to be. That is what I wish myself and those around would remember to to do in all times...not just in the relationships we hold important. That we would remember the guy that cuts us off in the roundabout is just as important to God as my best friend. And I should to react as such.
I think we are all guilty of these mistakes I know I am, yet I am trying to learn and it has become easier for me to catch myself and repent more regularly. The quicker I realize my own shortcomings the easier it is for me to love others for theirs. It is quicker to remember that we are all saved by Grace the very thing we are called to exhibit, and thankfully so...because I fall short everyday.
I don't mean to be preachy...if anything this a reminder for me. You all just get the privilege of reading the thoughts in my brain...Lucky you:)
They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
Love is patient, love is kind
Never boasts, not full of pride
Always hopes, always trusts
The evidence of Christ in us
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