Love your neighbor as yourself
Leviticus 19:18Love keeps no record of wrongs
1 Corinthians 13:5
I messed up. More than once. Each of my three daughters offered eighteen years of opportunities to make mistakes. My list of face-palming incidents as a mother could wallpaper a convenient store. Thinking about it depresses me.
Have you seen the billboards, “That ‘love your neighbor stuff, I meant it – God� However, those roadside signs only quote half the verse. I found the familiar “Love your neighbor as yourself†repeated ten times in scripture. We tend to forget the “as yourself†part. My Creator wants me to love myself!
When I combine that information with 1 Corinthians 13:5, it’s clear. Not only am I supposed to throw out the record of wrongs my husband and children committed, my convenient store wallpaper needs trashed too!
Being a mom can be exhausting. Working outside the home and keeping the mom gig going, even more so. Human beings make mistakes; even more often when we’re tired. It’s time to give ourselves a break and burn the list, the record of wrongs.
Unfortunately, many of us have evolved into creatures who enjoy lists. If that’s the case, let’s start a new one. I like to use Philippians 4:8 as the catalyst for my inventory. What is true in you? List your noble characteristics. Record all you do right. Consider your pure and lovely thoughts and ask your best friend to tell you what she admires about you. We are creations of the Almighty, made in His image. Our lives hold plenty of excellence and days worthy of praise. So, my friend, think about these things.
