Thursday thoughts: A good word that unexpectedly found me

Have you ever heard someone give a really good devotion and you thought to yourself, "Wow that was a good Word?" You might have even commented on how you thought it was exceptionally thought-provoking. Then something happens. God, in His miraculous ways, can allow that good Word to quite unexpectedly find you.

Let me explain. I was in a meeting this week with a group of pastors. Of course, we always have a devotion. This particular devotion was on guarding your heart, but really focusing on 1 Corinthians 3:7 which says, "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things." The main point of the devotion was maintaining relationships through the highs and lows of life.

The person giving the devotion noted that love bearing all things is basically being patient with flaws, misunderstandings, and not keeping a running list of wrongs. The definition of "bear" means to cover, protect, or endure. I do not have a problem with this because I totally agreed.

The other part of this verse that was talked about was "love believes all things." In this scenario, we should choose trust over suspicion, give others the benefit of the doubt, and just have faith in others' sincerity. To me, this just boiled down to assuming others' intentions are good and well-meaning until or unless they are clearly proven otherwise. Again, all things I totally agree with.

The test came when I got home from work. My husband met me at the gas station so we could both fill our cars up. He had been home all day. I casually asked if he unloaded the dishwasher, and he said, "No, but I will when we get back." Instant irritation and impatience on my part. To basically prove my point and show my displeasure, I got home before he did, and I unloaded the dishwasher. Not exactly the example of love bearing all things.

The next thing that happened was when he told me that he and my daughter had watched a show together that I specifically had told him about and really wanted to watch with him. When I reminded him of this, his response was that he didn't remember that, and he was sorry. I basically cast my suspicion on his answer and might have even voiced my annoyance. I again was not exactly the example of love believing all things.

Wayne left to take our granddaughter to her basketball game. Can I just tell you that as soon as he pulled out of the driveway, God allowed that good Word from the morning devotion to find me and it found me loud and clear. I was convicted of the fact that I was not practicing love bearing or believing anything concerning Wayne. I completely blew it!

I really am hoping someone can identify with me on this. I am just being brutally honest. I wish I could tell you that I quickly apologized, but sadly I had to process my feelings and behavior before I could ask forgiveness from God and then go to Wayne.

God reminded me that when love bears all things, it allows you to absorb those little irritations without turning them into big frustrations. He also brought to my mind that I would want others to bear with me in my shortcomings as well.

I remembered that when love believes all things, it allows you to assume good intent by interpreting words and actions with grace rather than suspicion. Isn't that what we all want as well to have others believe our motives are pure and our words are trustworthy?

The bottom line is, I am forgiven by God for all my faults, sins, and shortcomings; therefore, I am able and should offer forgiveness to others. I have come to the conclusion that bearing can keep you from becoming bitter, and believing can allow you to have hope.

I am so grateful that God continually reminds me that He loves me so much and freely offers me forgiveness if I just ask.

Just a word of caution. When you hear a devotion, be ready! Allow God to step on your toes, interrupt your thoughts, correct you with grace, knowing He is doing all this because He loves you. I might also add, as a suggestion from personal experience, when you hear a good Word it might be to your advantage to heed it!

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