Love Instead

My son Omri just started fourth grade, and I just feel like time is flying!

I remember my fourth grade year so clearly. My teacher was Mr. Holmes, our classroom was in the far back corner, and my three closest friends were Shanti, Clari, and Rose. I remember Rose and I getting into a little spat one day. And if you know about elementary girls’ arguments, you know that they pretty much feel like the world is ending. Well, Rose and I had said some pretty mean things to one another, to the point where we weren’t hanging out at recess anymore or sitting with each other on the school bus anymore. It had felt like my world was over!

I remember sharing the incident with one of my teachers, and she challenged my fourth grade mind to move past offense and to love Rose like Jesus did. She walked me through the process of forgiveness and reconciliation, and how much it meant to the Lord to forgive. I left that conversation in a different state of mind. I refused to see Rose through the lens of the names we called each other that day and chose to remember her for the good friend she had been to me since kindergarten.

There are so many stories I could share with you about the opportunity to love instead. Truly, we’re all given those opportunities daily but it’s up to us on whether we choose to press into them or not.

1 John 2:10-11 says:

Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

- 1 John 2:10-11

When we hold a grudge, refuse to let go of an offense, or even when we’ve negatively made up our mind about someone else, that reflects poorly on us and the body of Christ. Theologian, David Guzik, describes the lack of reconciliation as “a hindrance to our fellowship with God.”

Now, this doesn’t mean it’s okay to be a doormat. Just don’t let “it,” whatever “it” is to you, hold you hostage.

EVERY offense is the opportunity to love.

Som Tami

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