Contributor Post by Glenda Harbinson
My kids have a favorite book that never fails to leave us in stitches. My oldest daughter usually wins the battle over who gets to read simply because everyone loves to listen to her dramatic form. The story is about a pigeon and in the beginning pages the reader is entreated to please not let the pigeon stay up late!
The pigeon begs and pleads, coming up with reasons to stay up late that most parents could probably imagine and children find highly entertaining.
“It’s the middle of the day in China!”
“Just five more minutes!”
“I’m not even tired!!”
As the story reading continues, my younger children are laughing like crazy and answering back as the book is read aloud. So many excuses, and yet they continue to say, “Go to bed!”
It’s not often that I enjoy reading a book as many times as children like to hear it, but I have to say I’m not sick of this one. Yet.
As I thought about this book today I was reminded of how we act as Gods children. We make excuses for not doing what we’re supposed to be doing, what God commands us to do. Sometimes it’s as lame as “Someone else will do it,” or as seemingly justified as “I don’t have time”. What does God think of these excuses? Are they any more justified than this pigeon’s?
In John 13:34 we are commanded to love our brothers and sisters in the Lord as Christ loves us. This isn’t a suggestion, a mere, “I really wish you would.” This is God telling us to do this.
Do we wish to stand before God on Judgment Day saying, “But…but God! I was so busy running to church meetings I didn’t have time to truly love my brother in Christ…But God, I thought neighbor Joe was going to take care of that need….”
When I am standing face to face with the God who created the universe I don’t want to have excuses lining up on my tongue. I want to know beyond any doubt that I obeyed. That I LOVED as HE loved. That I allowed His love to flow through me.
John 14:15 says “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” I read this and it almost scares me. Loving others with the kind of love God has for us is what we’ll do if we love God. Salvation isn’t something we have to earn, but it is something that shines through us. If we truly love God we will keep his commandments, and he commands us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ just as He loves us! Think about that, sisters: what a command! No excuses.
If we love Him.
I want to stand before God and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I desire to live a life that shines Christ’s love for my brothers and sisters and a love to unbelievers that attracts them to Him.
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P.S. We’d love to know your thoughts, so please be sure to comment below. Each of our commenters will be entered in a drawing for our current FREE book giveaway, Mothers & Daughters: Mending a Strained Relationship by author Teena Stewart.
Glenda is a homeschooling mom of four in New Brunswick, Canada. She also fosters one teen and provides respite care and tutoring for another. She and her paramedic husband Mark have been married for 24 years. Glenda’s writings often reflect her personal experience parenting and teaching children with developmental and learning differences, as well as a particular empathy for moms with chronic illness. She blogs at http://pwsmommy.homeschooljournal.net/ and can be reached by emailing glenda.harbinson@gmail.com
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