Today's devotional was extremely challenging to me. I'm sure that everyone has someone in their life that's a bit hard in the head and hard in the heart, requiring a bit more of that "agape" love when "phileos" is difficult to come by. But I am always reminded that in pursuing authenticity, it is imperative to rely on the strength of the Lord. God's example informs us of how to move when being graceful feels like a stretch. In my own life, I try my best to curtail judgment, applying deliberateness, patience and deference to my interactions with others. I don't strive for perfection, but I know that I've improved. Today's challenge was a testament to that improvement, revealing the importance of being God's conduit in order to speak the words that bring renewal. My hope is that from this, my relationships will no longer be resistant to growth, but also receptive to some pruning here or there, so that we may also move forward together.

Posted by marcella.tomlin at 2020-08-06 06:10:59 UTC