One morning a little girl, dressed in spotless white, with a lovely bouquet of flowers in her hands, passed by a boy who was playing in the dusty street. The sight of this pretty girl stirred the spirit of mischief in the boy's heart and in no time a handful of dust struck the clean white dress and splattered her shining shoes.
The girl stopped still. Her face flushed pink. Her lips trembled as if she would cry. But instead, a smile broke out on her face and taking a flower from her bouquet .... she handed it to the boy!
Shocked, he hung his head and his cheeks reddened. His unkind fun was quite spoiled because in return for a handful of dust someone had handed him a flower.
It's easy to show love to those that show love to us, but as today's scripture conveys, "How would that make us different from anyone else?" As believers, we are to push beyond our pride, our pain, our fears and show love even to those who don't "deserve" it. After all, while WE were still sinners...while WE didn't "deserve" it...Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8)
I challenge you today to ALWAYS respond with the love of Christ even when it is most difficult. It is in those moments that God is glorified and lives are changed.
Dear Lord, Help me to always reflect You even when I feel like I am being mistreated. Give me the words to say to those who have mistreated me.
I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord
and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.
Reflection: Is there someone in your life that you need to respond to with the love of Christ?
