Friendship

I read an article by one of my dearest friends Claire Pienaar. She is an editor of a local magazine. I read her touching editors note. It was about love. What it came down to, was that it is easy for us to love things that are nice and fun and cute, but what growth of character is there when we only indulge in the sweet stuff in life. Sincere Godly love manifests when you are offended or wrongly accused and to, in spite of yourself, still love that person who wronged you.

To add on to her article, there are so many things I love too. I love my awesome husband, I love my cute dog...I love my dearest sister, I love my darling mother and I love my steadfast father. I love to feel safe and comfortable. I love to go shopping (I think I've make my point!). But then Claire made a further radical statement, saying that love is a CHOICE! Ok so does it mean that I must love the person who irritates me? Yes. Does that mean no matter what mean stuff someone can say to me, I must still love them? Yes. But why???? Because it is a commandment straight from God - no buts or if's. It is a tall order! But then that scripture comes to mind where Jesus is preaching the good news and says, if someone slaps you on the one cheek, turn the other one. But why God? "Because my child I'm not interested in your COMFORT, I'm interested in your CHACTER" Wow, what an amazing thought, anyone who is rude or nasty of unjust toward me, must be seen as tests and hurdles to overcome, so that I can be blameless and pure before the King of Kings.

Go today and make a friend of a stranger and pour out Gods love in your heart! Love always in spite of and not because of!



Alecia