Keep that Love

Can we keep love.

I live with two of the most amazing people I have ever met.....and I don't say that because they are perfect.... surely they are not. And neither am I.
We are a patchwork family... from different cloths, yet knit together with the love of God.

Mama Hight and Reco have accepted me into their home....not as a fair-weather friend or a visitor. They have given me not only a beautiful place to stay, continual gourmet meals and kindness overflowing.... they have given me their hearts and unconditional love at all times.
There is not a day that goes by that I don't realize that God alone could provide for me all that He has through them... and I am forever grateful.

Upon reflection... the past year of my life has been filled with people who were willing to open their homes to me. Being so independent in nature... this season of "needing others" has been difficult and yet refreshing. It has shown me purity of heart and motive... and also shown me the lack thereof....in myself and others.
By being on the receiving end of such giving people... I am changed forever.
Before this time of community came into my life, I was not as open and accomodating to others... and probably would not have been able to receive someone into my personal space, as they do.

There are so many excuses we all can use .....finances, not enough space, not wanting to share personal space, "I have to have it this way or that", they must respect my home by doing things this way.... the reasons are endless if that is the mindset.

It is only now... because of this new chapter in my life that I can clearly see that there is a portion of the word that the Body of Christ has not been great at following. I will be the first to admit that this has been vital for seeing beyond my self righteous attainment. So often in scripture the Lord commands us to put others before ourselves... and yet I find myself falling short of that.

One thing that Mama Hight always says when we're talking about relational issues is that "If you keep that Love... it all will work out". The first time she said it, I chuckled inside because of the way she said "Keep that Love".... but now I remember that phrase throughout my day. It doesn't matter whether I'm dealing with a client who's preoccupied, a friend who doesn't do or say things as I would like for them too, a family member who is unresponsive or my own inconsistencies with self and others... I remember to first love myself and then my neighbor in the same way.... and as long as Love is in the mix... it will all work out.

Maybe this all comes a little easier for you... but I put forth a challenge. Why not today, try something a little different.... (okay, so maybe you're already doing this...then kudos to you, really..... but if you're not...)
When you feel those negative thoughts and feelings arising about yourself or someone else.... do yourself a favor and Keep That Love. Ask yourself if you've done all you can (notice I did not say all you want) to express love to that person who's on your mind or heart. If there is tension... reach out to them with love... no matter who's fault the problem is. Unconditional grace is such a beautiful thing to both give and receive.

I guarantee that if you do something different... and Keep That Love.... things will work out all right!

With a Happy Heart!
Tracye

P.s. Here's a little scripture bonus that'll bless you :)


The Message
Matthew 25 Read This Chapter
25:34 -46
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation.
And here's why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.'
"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink?
And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?'
Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me - you did it to me.'
"Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell.
And why? Because - I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited.'

"Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?'
"He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me - you failed to do it to me.'
"Then those 'goats' will be herded to their eternal doom, but the 'sheep' to their eternal reward."