Loving REAL people, not IDEAL people.

Love Thy Neighbor.. Easier said than done, isn't it?

Mother Theresa said: "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: Kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."

The principles in the gospel tell us to treat people better than what they deserve. This goes against our natural instincts as human beings. But with the help of the Holy Spirit we can show kindness and His amazing grace to those around us and help build God's kingdom for His glory.

God's word :

“Do not let kindness and truth leave you, Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." - Prov 3:3

Wisdom and a life long lesson from my mother.

Personally I tend to surround myself with people who think like me, that have the same beliefs and values. However, the Lord always finds ways of placing people in our lives that push our buttons, that has different personalities and people who can just test our patience. I can't pray for strength anymore, because I will physically strangle someone. So now I pray for patience and believe me this gets tested everyday in the life of a teacher.

In the beginning of my teaching career I went to go visit my mother. I kept complaining about a student that was disobedient. The student kept misbehaving in class, this made my teaching job very difficult. My mother just looked at me and in her wisdom said: "Darling, remember no one on this planet is resistant to love" Those words really spoke to me and I went to practice this theory. The more the student acted out, the harder I tried to show unconditional love towards my student. After a few weeks I was so surprised to see the whole situation has turned around, just because I took the time to show someone what God's love and grace looks like.

God's word:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMDJIBpakec

“Pray to see our own faults, because if we do, it will be much easier to be patient with the weaknesses of others” Joyce Meyer

" Everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another" Jesus said after He washed the disciples feet and before He offered His life for their sins. Loving your neighbor means that you choose to see other people through God's eyes.

Jesus' message of unconditional love is what turned us to be followers of Jesus. That beautiful love story in the gospel also inspires us to show the same mercy and kindness to people around us. There are so many ways in which a person can give of one's self. (Not only in our tithes and offerings)

• You can give your time..by volunteering or giving a helping hand.

• You can perform random acts of kindness..

• Compliment someone sincerely..

• Make someone laugh.. by telling a joke when they are down

• Be emotionally available..by being a good listener

Get Inspired

My prayer for us and for you, as a family of Jesus Christ, is that we will be mindful of others. Loving REAL people not IDEAL people. God is challenging you today to be bold, to show kindness towards others and to love them with a humble attitude.

Our Gracious Heavenly Father, help us to be kind with our actions and words. Help us to known our own faults and weaknesses before we seek for them in others. Give us the wisdom and understanding to encourage, inspire, support and love our neighbors as ourselves. We pray this in the name above all names. - Amen.