to bring a smile. After all my ramblings yesterday morning, late afternoon I get a text from my oldest son that said "Be strong. Be you. Love ya." It made me smile. Partly because it was unexpected, partly it was because it was from my oldest son. He does little things like that occasionally, and it makes me smile. Even if he doesn't know what is going on, that little reach out is good for my heart. And I am blessed.
Yesterday wasn't too bad 'after' the outburst. He really calmed down and later asked me.... did you know it was 'just baptism Sunday'? Meaning, did I know there wasn't going to be a message, just baptisms... and no, I didn't know. I watched part of them in here, then went ahead and got in the shower. Church was good and our pastor spoke on 'Israel matters'. And Israel does matter. God created Israel, He loves Israel, and He calls Israel His own. Think about it - without Israel, we would not have Jesus. Without Israel, we would not have the Bible. Without Israel, we have no hope. Sheds a new light on Israel, doesn't it?
The Bible tells us that we are to bless Israel, and not curse her. Those who bless Israel will be blessed; those who curse Israel will be cursed.
I picked up a bag at church to fill for a family for Thanksgiving. There were two bags - one for the meats of turkey, ham, and something else... I chose the canned good bag. And, I got away for a bit yesterday. Actually, it was a good time. I got to go to the store all by myself. And I was gone about 2 hours - and no texts from hubby as to 'where are you'? Maybe he fell asleep. Naw, he was watching the Cardinals game when I got home.
Yesterday was also a granddaughter's 19th birthday. Now this granddaughter has caused many heartaches and headaches, but she is still my granddaughter. I love her. She really has never had the love a child should have growing up; never had direction on how to live - all she knew was... well, never mind. She did not have a good childhood; let's put it that way. I checked with her dad if she was home; no, she was at work. I decided to drive to her job and wait for her to get off. I actually got there right on time, and she soon clocked out. We sat and talked for a bit, catching up on what she has been doing. She works every day because she has been basically told she is not welcome at the house. By February she has to get out. It's a long story, but this little girl is unwanted. True, she has created some chaos. But she is still a little girl in need of support and love and not pushed out on the street because of her choices. My heart breaks for her. I believe in her. And with someone to love her and encourage her - even when she fights against it - she will become someone. If I did not live here where we can not have someone under 55 living with us, I would let her live here. She isn't a bad girl just because she had a year of wild stuff. She needs an example. She needs love. She needs to be told she is valued and has purpose. She gets that from her friends. None from her family. And we wonder why people join gangs. My heart breaks for her, but my hands are tied. I am going to start making it a point to keep in contact with her. She needs to know someone cares. They are going to train her to be a GM where she is working. And that's pretty good for a 19 year old.
I found out after we were talking that she knew I was coming - how? Her dad had text'd her and told her 'grandma is coming to see you.' While we were talking, her mother called. She asked if I had gotten there yet. How did she know? A grandson had called and told her 'Grandma is going to go see....'. And then her other brother calls... yep - he knew I was there too. Comical, actually, but I had hoped it would be a surprise. And it was, in a way. I had not been to see her before at work. In fact, it has been a few months since I've seen her. And she looked good. She was happy to see me. And I'm sure even happier to know that someone still loves her.
John 13:34 (NKJV): "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "
Have you ever thought about loving others the way we are loved by God? Or even loving others the way we want to be loved? I admit, I'm not always 'loving' to people when I should be. Some people just get under your skin because of their behavior (and no, I'm not talking about hubby). Saying 'I love you' or 'love you' to people when you don't really care about them is lying - and we all know people who do that. Yet, we are called to love them, even though we know how they are. We can choose not to associate with them, but we must choose to love them. Does that make sense? Ok, just had to erase some sentences cause I am not going to call some people out. UGH. Don't you just want to some times, though?
I want to be loved by Jesus... and I am... and I always will be. But that also means that I must love others with the love He has for me. Sometimes that is not easy. But following Jesus was never meant to be an easy road to take. As Jesus did, and does, so must I. Share the love.
Blessings!
