Forgive and Forget...#loveproject365

11/365 #loveproject365

I don't like to be fooled.

I don't like to be lied to or deceived and I would bet most people don't.

But as humans, it happens to us all at some point. In our culture today, it seems that it is easier and even acceptable to stretch the truth a little, keep some details out or just simple keep quiet all together and we aren't actually lying. I have said it many times before, but I one of integrity regardless of what it might cost me. I value honesty and truth and if it hurts, so be it. Just be honest with me.

As a teacher, I get a lot of stories. Stories that stretch the truth and even flat out lie. Sometimes the stories are so believable, I am not sure what is truth anymore. Today, for example, a student came in to contest his B+. As we looked at his grade, I realized he submitted his final project three days late and it didn't even look like he worked an extra three days on it. Actually, it looked more like three hours on a five week project. His explanation? He didn't know where to submit it. Hmmm....I have 38 students in the class, and 37 knew where to submit it. Lie? Maybe? Maybe he just was too afraid to ask someone, knowing it was so late. Who knows? This is a minor offense, but a lie nonetheless. Unfortunately, I have a hard time letting it go for the next time he comes in with a story.

I am sure you could think of a few stories of your own to share where someone has told you a story that just didn't seem right, only to find out later, it was a flat out lie. I don't know why people are so afraid of the truth, but they are. Knowing this about others, I have become quite skeptical of pretty much everyone and everything. Over the course of several years, I have a hard time trusting anyone, in fear that what I think is true is a lie. That some day down the road, it will hurt me. With this attitude, love is hard to find.

But then, I look at Jesus and I think about Judas. Talk about the ultimate lie! He sold him down the river to be crucified. AND they were friends! But guess what? Jesus forgave him and let it go. If only I had a little bit of that Jesus in me to forgive so easily and then forget. As I work through this year, trying to love more freely, I am reminded again that I have to be willing to let go. Let go of the little lies and the big ones. To love no matter what. To be like Jesus, is to forgive, so you can forget. To give that young man who came in desperate to save his grade, a little forgiveness, so next time, I can be open to his next story.

"it (love) is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

1 Corinthians 13:5

"It does not boast, it is not proud." #loveproject365

8/365 #loveproject365

In most cases, I am pretty content with where I am and what I have. God has been given more opportunities in life than most and has truly blessed me with a loving church, a loving family, a great job and a good home. And as much as I know God has had a part in all of it, I have had to work hard a long the way. The hardest part of this verse for me is in loving others who haven't done the same to pave their way. Loving those who complain or make excuses is hard for me, but today I realize that it is not what others do that matters as much as what I do. 

Let's take a look at the homeless guy on the corner. 

I think it is pretty safe to say that we all see one or two with a cardboard sign sitting at the freeway exit, and most of the time we don't even look their way.  And that may be ok for you. But for those who won't give to the homeless because we have made the assumption that they will buy beer or drugs may be missing the point of loving others. Of course, we have to be conscientious of our time and money, but every man and woman on the corner has a story to tell. I don't know all the stories, but I do know God's story and he has created each of us to know Him and to live in harmony with one another.

A few months ago, I decided that what I do is not dependent on what others do. If I love unconditionally, I may just share Jesus in a way someone has missed. If I worry less about how someone will respond, I will love more freely and God will be made known. Of course, the homeless guy or girl may buy beer or drugs, but it is not up to me to make that judgment. If we love unconditionally, we will give freely and if we believe God is good, we will be blessed, regardless of how someone else responds. 

There's a man who sits outside our 7-11 in the evening when we make our coffee run. He is usually half asleep, or slumped over sadly as we walk in. He never asks for anything, but occasionally, we bring him in to get a cup of coffee for himself. This small act of faith isn't changing his life dramatically, but in those moments, he is warm and cared for. On a cold night, this may be all he needs to get through. We all have a desire to be cared for, no matter what our circumstances. 

It may not be a homeless guy in your life, but maybe a family member or friend who needs some unconditional love today. Loving others sometimes requires us to look past ourselves and focus on others, regardless of their story. 

"Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."

1 Corinthians 13:4