Galatians 5:13-15
The Message (MSG)
13-15 It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?
I was reading these verses this morning and the part about loving others as you love yourself whipped off the page and grabbed my brain. As I have gotten older, my ideas of who I am and my talents have tended to be redefined. I don't look the same. I don't have the same opportunities. I wrestle with aches, pains and challenges that are new and often discouraging.
Do I love myself? Am I treating others with the same measuring rod I am applying to me and we are all coming up in the red?
When caregiving, it is difficult to think about yourself, let alone anyone outside your situation. So, liking oneself is hard, let alone loving oneself. I spent many days avoiding the mirror and many days avoiding those around me. Difficulty, aging, stress kept me in a prison.
I talked about friendship yesterday. God helped me connect with people who gave me an opportunity to go beyond myself and begin to like myself. Their input brought about a healing to love my life and the small pleasures of sitting in the sun outside my door, walking along the lake, eating too much sugar from a piece of cake baked by a friend who loved me as she loved herself.
I am finding a new appreciation for the WORDS God gave us in the Bible. The topic of conversation with friends often turns to Heaven and what it will be like. We long for that perfect place, but also discuss the road we are on and how God is helping us mature and share with others. As we accept our lives, we can truly love others with the same hope.
Lot to say today! But I am tired of being emotionally locked up and unable to recognize the gifts that God has placed within my reach!
I was reading these verses this morning and the part about loving others as you love yourself whipped off the page and grabbed my brain. As I have gotten older, my ideas of who I am and my talents have tended to be redefined. I don't look the same. I don't have the same opportunities. I wrestle with aches, pains and challenges that are new and often discouraging.
Do I love myself? Am I treating others with the same measuring rod I am applying to me and we are all coming up in the red?
When caregiving, it is difficult to think about yourself, let alone anyone outside your situation. So, liking oneself is hard, let alone loving oneself. I spent many days avoiding the mirror and many days avoiding those around me. Difficulty, aging, stress kept me in a prison.
I talked about friendship yesterday. God helped me connect with people who gave me an opportunity to go beyond myself and begin to like myself. Their input brought about a healing to love my life and the small pleasures of sitting in the sun outside my door, walking along the lake, eating too much sugar from a piece of cake baked by a friend who loved me as she loved herself.
I am finding a new appreciation for the WORDS God gave us in the Bible. The topic of conversation with friends often turns to Heaven and what it will be like. We long for that perfect place, but also discuss the road we are on and how God is helping us mature and share with others. As we accept our lives, we can truly love others with the same hope.
Lot to say today! But I am tired of being emotionally locked up and unable to recognize the gifts that God has placed within my reach!
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