Receive Love. Give Love. Repeat.

This morning started out with a list of “wrongs” and all I could do was sigh heavily and rest my head in my hands. Granted, all of the things that were going on were nothing major. Absolutely nothing earth-shattering or life-threatening. So why all the fuss? Well, it was because they were all happening at the same time. All at once, my patience was being tested and my anxiety was on the rise. I almost resorted to the comfortable self-pity of “why me?”

Almost.

Instead, I found myself reciting the Serenity prayer.

Shortly after that, I was compelled to open my little booklet, Our Daily Bread, that my gracious neighbor gave to me. As I flipped to today’s date, September 11th, I could feel my anxiety slowly dissipating as I felt the Holy Spirit work through me.  My eyes flickered back and forth across the written words and my heart absorbed the message. Soon I was feeling lighter and my troubles were put into perspective.

The greatest love that we receive is the love of God. He loved us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to live, die, and rise again to redeem us. – 1 John 4:9

Through my series of unfortunate events this morning, I felt a hand on my shoulder and a whisper that said, “Child, rest in My love. Let My grace be enough.”  Sometimes we get too caught up in our misfortunes that we cannot be still enough to receive God’s love. He will find a way to make you listen. I find it quite beautiful – He loves me enough to slow me down and make me hear His message. For this, Glory to God I give.

Often times we find that someone has not been true to us. Whether they have lied, misrepresented themselves, or have said things to damage our character; they have not been true. While it is most difficult to ignore their plights of evil, Matthew 5:44 says, “Do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

Friends, that is not an easy thing to do all of the time. But God wants us to listen to His message of love and rest in its greatness. It’s all about the love. God is love. – 1 John 4:16

Receive love. Give love. Repeat. – Anne Cetus

Think about the ways you can show God’s love today...

 (I find it fairly amusing that when He is trying to get you to listen, He will plant seeds everywhere for you to find! As soon as I hit publish on this blog post, I went back over to Facebook and this message from Victoria Osteen was staring me straight in the face – “You can rise above disappointments, negative words, and unfair situations as long as you don’t lose sight of your value in Christ. Hold on to your sense of destiny knowing that He has you here for a purpose!”)