The last thing I usually want to do is love someone who is hard to get along with and rubs me the wrong way. Prickly people are hard to love. However, loving those whom posses qualities that drive me crazy is one area that I could gain much ground. I would really like to pass on to C&M the ability to love people despite their unlovables.
Matthew 5:43-48
You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
My Aunt sent this to me and I thought it was a wonderful illustration of the value of bearing with one another.
It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together. This way, they covered and protected themselves; but, the quills of each one wounded their closest companions even though they gave off heat to each other.
After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.
Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it, was the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.
Therefore: The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but the best is when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities.
The Moral of the story!
LEARN TO LOVE THE PRICKS IN YOUR LIFE.
1) Everyone is created in God's image. So if we are worthy of love, so is everyone else because of who made them.
2) Because of sin, we're all really unlovable. But Christ changed the rules by offering love, grace and forgiveness (Romans 5:8). If God can love us, surely we can love those around us.
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