Love One Another

But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sad'ducees, they came together.  And one of them, a lawyer, asked Jesus a question, to test him.  "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."   Matthew 22:34-40

The Scripture above tells us that Jesus said we should love one another.  Sometimes that’s difficult to do! 

Even when we love someone, like friends or family members, we may not always like what they say or how they act.  Also, we may not always act very loving towards them! 

I hate to admit this, but sometimes I find it so easy to be critical of others and judge them.  I was recently in a fast food restaurant with some friends. At the table next to ours there were three young children sitting by themselves.  I won’t go into all the details, but basically their parents were neglecting them.  This really disturbed us and we were upset with the parents.  We decided that the only thing we could really do was to keep an eye on the children and talk to them occasionally.  Even after we finished eating, we stayed at the restaurant until their parents returned to them.  Since this occurred, I have been praying for the family.  I have also been praying for myself, that I become less critical and judgmental of others.

The American Indians have an old proverb "Before you judge another man, first walk a mile in his moccasins."  We will probably never understand why people say and do some of the things they say and do. 

I often try to remember WWJD:  What Would Jesus Do?

I think he would love them, help them, and pray for them.  Even when it’s not easy to do.

Dear God,

Thank You for Your many blessings!!!  Help me to not judge and be critical of others.  Help me love them, help them, and pray for them instead.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.