Sometimes I am amazed by the capacity that I have to love and forgive--my animals. If my dog disobeys me, or if my cat has a spaz moment and tries to bite my arm off, sure I get a bit peeved. I even scold them and, in the dog's case, send him to time out. Yet at no time during those incidents do I feel any less love for them than normal. And when I see that they are sorry and want to make up, my heart practically overflows with love for them.
So why is it not that way with other human beings? When a friend or co-worker slights me or hurts me in some way, I take it much more personally. I might try to distance myself from that person for a few days or, depending on the infraction, permanently. I tell myself that I "forgive them" but that I just don't want to get hurt again. Why do I react differently to my animals?
I believe it is because of intentions. I know that my dog loves me and wants to please me with all his heart. That is pretty much the way all dogs are with their owners. Yet sometimes his rebellious nature just gets the best of him. It's not that he is trying to hurt me or doesn't love me, he just gets himself into a pickle sometimes. Knowing that his heart is in the right place allows me to forgive him. On the other hand, I don't always know where the hearts of my fellow man or woman are. This makes it much more difficult to forgive them.
During prayer this morning, God pointed out to me that the way in which I love my animals is very similar to the way in which He loves us. In fact, the love and forgiveness that He has for us is one hundred times what I feel for my animals. When we disobey Him, He doesn't take it personally because He knows the true nature of our hearts.
It makes sense, really. You and I cannot possibly know the true nature of our fellow man or woman's heart; only God can know this. Therefore we are much more likely to take offense when they do something that we perceive as an intentional slight. Maybe the key to loving our fellow human being is to convince ourselves that despite what we see in their behavior, their hearts are in the right place.
What do you think?
If you're looking for a yummy yet simple cookie recipe, try these delightful little zingers.
1 c. Bisquick
1 small pkg. french vanilla instant pudding mix
3 T. vegetable oil
1 egg
Chocolate chip morsels
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips until well-blended. Form into balls about the size of a teaspoon and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Add three chocolate chips to the center of each ball. Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes. Let cool completely. Makes about 15 small cookies.
Enjoy!
God Bless you all and have a great week!
So why is it not that way with other human beings? When a friend or co-worker slights me or hurts me in some way, I take it much more personally. I might try to distance myself from that person for a few days or, depending on the infraction, permanently. I tell myself that I "forgive them" but that I just don't want to get hurt again. Why do I react differently to my animals?
I believe it is because of intentions. I know that my dog loves me and wants to please me with all his heart. That is pretty much the way all dogs are with their owners. Yet sometimes his rebellious nature just gets the best of him. It's not that he is trying to hurt me or doesn't love me, he just gets himself into a pickle sometimes. Knowing that his heart is in the right place allows me to forgive him. On the other hand, I don't always know where the hearts of my fellow man or woman are. This makes it much more difficult to forgive them.
During prayer this morning, God pointed out to me that the way in which I love my animals is very similar to the way in which He loves us. In fact, the love and forgiveness that He has for us is one hundred times what I feel for my animals. When we disobey Him, He doesn't take it personally because He knows the true nature of our hearts.
It makes sense, really. You and I cannot possibly know the true nature of our fellow man or woman's heart; only God can know this. Therefore we are much more likely to take offense when they do something that we perceive as an intentional slight. Maybe the key to loving our fellow human being is to convince ourselves that despite what we see in their behavior, their hearts are in the right place.
What do you think?
Three-Eyed Susans
If you're looking for a yummy yet simple cookie recipe, try these delightful little zingers.
1 c. Bisquick
1 small pkg. french vanilla instant pudding mix
3 T. vegetable oil
1 egg
Chocolate chip morsels
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips until well-blended. Form into balls about the size of a teaspoon and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Add three chocolate chips to the center of each ball. Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes. Let cool completely. Makes about 15 small cookies.
Enjoy!
God Bless you all and have a great week!
No comments:
Post a Comment