How many times have you seen people in life that miss the point? While they may be well meaning, their words just don’t help the cause?  I have, first hand, seen people who would rather lash out & “let somebody have it” rather than extend a hand to help.  I have seen those who get in a tiz & their knee jerk reaction is to tell somebody off.  I have actually had someone tell me before, when I have tried to help them see their anger was not beneficial, say to me, “Well, at least they are going to know what I think.”  Really?  In situations when people are maybe not making the best choices & they need our help- they really don’t care what you think.  Being angry with someone for their mistakes & expressing such to them is missing the point.  I know we are all human & want what’s best for our loved ones.  And yes, sometimes you may want to just shake them & say, “What were you thinking??”  All the lecturing & yelling & bawling & squalling will not change the fact that this person needs our love, not our tempers flaring.  I truly believe if we reach out a hand in love, we will get a much more positive response than if we are throwing a hissy fit.  We need to be showing Jesus through us.  How can we do that if we are angry & ranting & raving?  We can’t.  We all make mistakes.  We all miss the point, from time to time, to show Christ’s love.  If we have done that, we should pray & ask the other person to forgive us.  The apostle Paul talks about true love in I Corinthians 13.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,^[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.

⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (NKJV)

 

This chapter is full of useful & necessary information on how to treat others. From what I can tell, these are commandments.  Not suggestions.  Let’s be sure we treat them as such.  Instead of beating someone over the brow with our version of what they should be doing, we all need to try speaking kindly & understanding where they are coming from with their decisions.  A lot of times, I can be more tenderhearted if I know why someone is doing what they are doing.  Believe me, there are just some people who need guidance.  Even & especially grown men & women.  And sadly, some still will not change, even though you go to them in love.  That’s not your fault.  You have done your part & done it correctly.  Continue to show them love & keep them in prayer.  Hopefully, they will turn to the Lord before it’s too late.  But listen, don’t worry about this.  If the Lord could not turn everyone’s heart to the right thing, what makes you think you can?  It is what it is.  Do your part, with love & move on.

One more thing, you may be asking, “What is “the point” you speak of?”  When I refer to missing the point, I am meaning this is your prime opportunity to show Jesus & His love through us.  Please, please, please, do your best to not miss the point!

I am so glad you came by to visit with me today. We have had a nasty stomach bug going around our house.  I have been able to avoid it, so far.  Well, you know there are somethings a stomach bug won’t even chance. Ha. Hope your week has been full of fall weather & pumpkin spice.  Oh yeah.  And the time changed.  What about that daylight savings time that just jumped up & ran off?  Still. Not. Over. It.   And just to add to your anxiety, Christmas is only 7 weeks away.  Love you like candy canes & chocolate covered cherries! Until next time, I have to be going because I should be washing clothes.