"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12
"She was dumped here about a year ago. She was afraid and scared of us at first and it took us several days of coaxing before she would even come close enough to allow us to pet her. But she finally realized that we wouldn't hurt her and has never left." Spoken many months ago, these were the words of the owner of this little dog I'd grown to love and the words I replayed in my head as I stopped on my morning run to once again administer a belly rub. It hadn't always been this way though. This precious pup that now runs to me at the sound of my voice once cowered down at my very presence. After a few weeks of gentle words and patient waiting though, she finally came to me and now we enjoy this time several days a week.
You know, this little dog is like many lost people in this world... hurt, beat-down, scared and looking for someone to love them. And many times these same hurt people cannot fathom that, in spite of all they've done, that anyone could love them much less the Creator of the universe. But that's where you and I come in. By being patient, kind and compassionate towards them, we can humbly and gently tell them that they too are loved by the Father, are worthy of forgiveness and have a home within a body of believers that is waiting to welcome them in.
So let us be ever mindful of the need to share the love of Christ with others but just as mindful to the way we do it because as Arnold H. Glasow once wrote, "The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.”
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us as you do and for allowing us the privilege of sharing that same love to others. Help us to be patient, kind and loving with the lost as we do that we might not push or scare them away. We ask that you give us the words, actions and timing we need to lead others to the Cross. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
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