Two-year-old Peter sat in the highchair happily devouring his food with his fingers. Then his grandmother said matter-of-factly, “He needs to start eating with a spoon. You don’t want him to graduate from high school and still not know how to eat properly.”
Diane felt insulted, as if her ability as a mother was being called into question. Of course he’ll be using cutlery long before then! she seethed. Sometimes her mother-in-law, Lois, seemed so critical.
It took time, but with the passing years and much prayer, Diane learned to love Lois in the ways Paul described in his letter to the Colossians (1:9-10). She learned that loving one another with patience is a mark of growing in spiritual maturity (v. 11). As she got to know Lois better as a person and as a child of God, Diane also needed to forgive her for her outspokenness, just as God had forgiven her (v. 14). And, as she matured, Diane began to better understand and take joy in Lois.
In their last several years together before Lois’ death, the two talked and laughed and made many new wonderful memories Diane continues to savour.
Learning to love others in our lives can be difficult. Sometimes personalities clash or others can say thoughtless things. But remembering the patience God has had with us and that He’s forgiven us helps us to do the same.
By Alyson Kieda
REFLECT & PRAY
What relationship in your life took time to grow and blossom? What has helped you with your relationships?
Thank You, God, that I can have a relationship with others because of You.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul’s use of the words “on the night [Jesus] was betrayed” (1 Corinthians 11:23) underscores the serious nature of the matter he was addressing. It was Christ who implemented the first Communion (Lord’s Supper), and He did so on the Passover night before His crucifixion. Paul revisits the importance of this ordinance to correct a serious error in the church at Corinth. He leads into this section by saying, “In the following directives I have no praise for you” (v. 17)—stern words to hear from an apostle of Jesus. The apostle pointed out how there were “divisions” among the people ( v. 18). Some were eating too much while others went hungry, and some were even getting drunk. Paul found such behaviour appalling and warned of God’s judgment on those who were offending in this matter (vv. 27-32). He concluded by appealing for their renewed unity (v. 33)—a unity we can enjoy today with other sisters and brothers in Christ.
Tim Gustafson
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