She stares at me and tells me the words I really don’t want to hear. They come out as excuses and justification but what I really hear is I wasted your time and I lied. I really don’t want your advice.
I will be completely honest in saying that I lack mercy. When someone wants me to invest time to help them my expectation is for them to actually try and change. When they don’t meet those expectations I get mad which is what happened in this case and it reflected my attitude.
As I stormed off for dinner my attitude worsened. My attempt to get away from people was to go do homework. It was a nice alibi that would hide my mood and I thought it would work. I can hide from people but I can’t hide from God. As I sat there pretending to do my homework with my righteous and unchristlike attitude the Lord spoke to my heart. He said the most annoying yet convicting statement. It was one that I really needed to hear.
True Christlike love has no expectations.
As I began processing the situation I realized that the feelings I had weren’t associated with anger. They were feelings of hurt. It really upset me to see someone that I care about making unwise decisions that lead to the same horrible circle of sin that they tried so hard to get out of. I began asking God how to love this person when they are hurting me so much. His answer was the same. It kept repeating through my mind like the words of my favorite song… True Christlike love has no expectations
Christ spent his whole life dealing with people who asked for help but instead turned around and did the opposite. He didn’t go up to the person and say, “I will help you if…” instead Jesus said, ” come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) This precious girl came to me with a burden and as the hands and feet of Jesus my only job is to display true Christ like love that holds no expectations. Yes I will get hurt and no it won’t be easy but it wasn’t easy for Jesus to be tortured and nailed to a cross for my sins either.
Are you struggling with hurt feelings towards those you care for who are making unwise decisions? Look to Jesus because he is the perfect example of true love with no expectations.
Aw, this was a very nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to produce a great article… but what can I say…
I hesitate a whole lot and don’t seem to get anything done.
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Thank you for the compliment. It means a lot. This post was actually my kick in the butt from Jesus. It took the shortest amount to write. You can write too! Just listen to Jesus. We will tell you what to right. Remember that you are unique. You have your own way I’d writing. Comparison can sometimes give me writers block and cause me to hesitate and that’s not a good thing lol. Stay true to you.
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