|
I've learned throughout my life that there are many hurting people in this
world that mask their pain and put on a persona of toughness that deep down
covers up their emotional strain. As children of the Most High God, we are
to recognize those who are hurting and come to them with our unwavering
love and support and let them know that we are there for them. Just as we
would want others to do unto us, we are to do unto others. The same mercy
that we show will one day be shown to us. The same love that we give will
one day be given to us. The same forgiveness that we offer to others will
one day be offered to us. Love others unconditionally just as the Lord
loves you and show through your actions the love of God that dwells within
your heart. (Romans 12:14-19) (Luke 6:35-37) (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
I hope today's simple message ministers to your heart to follow the Lord's
command and love others the way you would want them to love you.
A LESSON FOR A LIFETIME
When I arrived at 6 a.m. in the large hospital kitchen, Rose was already
checking name tags on the trays against the patient roster. Stainless steel
shelves held rows of breakfast trays which we would soon be serving.
“Hi, I'm Janet.” I tried to sound cheerful, although I already knew Rose's
reputation for being impossible to work with. “I'm scheduled to work with
you this week.”
Rose, a middle-aged woman with graying hair, stopped what she was doing
and peered over her reading glasses. I could tell from her expression she
wasn't pleased to see a student worker.
“What do you want me to do? Start the coffee?”
Rose sullenly nodded and went back to checking name tags.
I filled the 40-cup pot with cold water and began making the coffee when
Rose gruffly snapped, “That's not the way to make coffee.” She stepped in
and took over.
“I was just doing it the way our supervisor showed us to do it,” I said in
astonishment.
“The patients like the coffee better the way I do it,” she replied curtly.
Nothing I did pleased her. All morning her eagle eyes missed nothing and
her sharp words stung. She literally trailed me around the kitchen.
Later, after breakfast had been served and the dishes had been washed, I
set up my share of trays for the next meal. Then I busied myself cleaning
the sink. Certainly Rose couldn't criticize the way I did that.
When I turned around, there stood Rose, rearranging all of the trays I had
just set up!
Totally exhausted, I trudged the six blocks home from the University Of
Minnesota Hospital late that June afternoon. As a third year university
student working my way through school, I had never before encountered
anyone like Rose.
Fighting back tears, I wrestled with my dilemma alone in my room. “Lord,
what do you want me to do? I can't take much more of Rose.”
I turned the possibilities over in my mind. Should I see if my supervisor
would switch me to work with someone else? Scheduling was fairly flexible.
On the other hand, I didn't want to be a quitter. I knew my older
co-workers were watching to see if my actions matched my words.
The answer to my prayer caught me completely by surprise -- I needed to
love Rose.
Love her? No way! Tolerate, yes, but loving her was impossible.
“Lord, I can't love Rose. You'll have to do it through me.”
Working with Rose the next morning, I ignored the barbs thrown in my
direction and did things Rose's way as much as possible to avoid friction.
As I worked, I silently began to surround Rose with a warm blanket of
prayers. “Lord, help me love Rose. Lord, bless Rose.”
Over the next few days an amazing thing began to happen. As I prayed for
this irritating woman, my focus shifted from what she was doing to me, and
I started seeing Rose as the hurting person she was. The icy tension began
to melt away.
Throughout the rest of the summer, we had numerous opportunities to work
together. Each time she seemed genuinely happy to see me. As I worked with
this lonely woman, I listened to her--something no one else had done.
I learned that she was burdened by elderly parents who needed her care, her
own health problems, and an alcoholic husband she was thinking of leaving.
The days slipped by quickly as I finished the last several weeks of my
summer job. Leaves were starting to turn yellow and red, and there was a
cool, crispness in the air. I soon would be returning as a full-time
university student.
One day, while I was working alone in one of the hospital kitchens, Rose
entered the room. Instead of her blue uniform, she was wearing street clothes.
I looked at her in surprise. “Aren't you working today?”
“I got me another job and won't be working here no more,” she said as she
walked over and gave me a quick hug. “I just came to say good-bye.” Then
she turned abruptly and walked out the door.
Although I never saw Rose again, I still remember her vividly. That summer
I learned a lesson I've never forgotten. The world is full of people like
Rose--irritating, demanding, unlovable - yet hurting inside. I've found
that love is the best way to turn an enemy into a friend.
By Janet Seever
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Luke 6:35-37 Jesus declares “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and
lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye
shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful
and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be
condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.”
Romans 12:14-18 “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the
same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men
of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil
for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible,
as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth
not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself
unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things,
believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: HOPE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem31.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: TESTIMONY OF GOD'S LOVE
Click here to read --- http://www.godswork.org/testimony150.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
