Is there a person or group of people that you just have a really hard time being around?
I do. I won't tell you who but it seems to always come down to the idea that when I'm with them they demand to be loved, demand to be respected. And I just don't like that! I want to give love and respect to those I pick. One of my biggest pet peeves is when men demand respect but are not respectable or treat others with respect of any kind.
But I was sitting being upset about when a dialogue started to form. (I didn't really hear voices. This is just me talking out the conviction).
GIRL: I don't want to love X or Z! I don't want to respect them, they aren't being loving! They aren't respecting! They don't deserve it!
I do. I won't tell you who but it seems to always come down to the idea that when I'm with them they demand to be loved, demand to be respected. And I just don't like that! I want to give love and respect to those I pick. One of my biggest pet peeves is when men demand respect but are not respectable or treat others with respect of any kind.
But I was sitting being upset about when a dialogue started to form. (I didn't really hear voices. This is just me talking out the conviction).
GIRL: I don't want to love X or Z! I don't want to respect them, they aren't being loving! They aren't respecting! They don't deserve it!
DADDY: Do you, Vicki? Do you, yourself deserve love and respect?
GIRL: YES! I DO! I'm kind most of the time! I serve others, I work hard, I'm part of a church....
DADDY: Why do you... do church?
GIRL: um... because of. ... Jesus?
DADDY: What about Jesus.
GIRL: Well. Um, uh... He saved me. Gave me grace a free gift I don't - BUT DADDY IT'S NOT THE SAME!
DADDY: Are you sure about dat?
GIRL: I don't want to talk about it!
But God shows His love for us that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
DADDY: Who doesn't deserve what? Sounds to me like you are in the same boat as they. Now look-a-here young lady! You can sit there in that crowded boat grumbling and demanding to be treated right like the rest or you can praise the One Who has saved you.
I'm not going to say it's easy. Because it ain't.
But do you understand me? Don't you see? You have been loved with an everlasting love that loved you when you were DEAD and rotting! But this love of Jesus has not only made you alive but has set you free from the law of sin and death. Jesus has redeemed you. Forgiven you. And adopted you as His own. This is grace hon.
GIRL: Daddy? I hurt. I'm sad. It is hard for me to love them but I understand too that I am just as spiteful to You. I hurt You lots don't I? I'm sorry, Da. Da? Um. They still aren't my favorite.
DADDY: I'm not asking you to pick favorites. I'm asking you to love as I have loved you. I'm here to help, and have placed you in a new family to help as well.
GIRL: Thank you!!! Bunches thank you!
So how does this look? I guess when they demand love, I can laugh because they already have it! Because of Jesus, I can love each person I meet already. When they demand respect while being unrespecting I can show grace because I have been graced, AND stand firm in my convictions. Loving others the way Jesus does me doesn't make me a push over with people. It means I'm a push over to God's way, and hidden in the Rock of Christ while dealing and loving people well.
Lord, mold me a new. I need the grace to give. I need the reminder that I am too a sinner and don't deserve grace.
The only One who should really demand grace here is God. But He doesn't.. He woo's.
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