Performance, or Life

My mom is now in an assisted living situation and I went to see her this weekend. I wanted to encourage her and help her get settled. I came home a bit discouraged though. Mom and I had a good time, but the other residents are very different. I am quite outgoing and met many of them, but had trouble with conversations. A few were hard of hearing or had very strong accents, some just didn't keep on the train of thought. I watched them during dinner and saw people that most of us would just walk quickly by on the street. I thought about what it would be like to know that this was going to be my home for the remainder of my life. It would be hard.
I also watched these people and thought about how much God loves them and the price He paid to for them to know Him. I wonder if they have ever heard of His love and how would I tell them.
Lord if I end my life in such a place, help me to love the people enough to be more concerned about sharing about your love, then about myself.

The book I read this weekend had a great quote. "I am beginning to understand that I came that we may perform well, is not the same as 'I have come that you may have life'.

I Am Loved :)

"Jesus respects us so, He never treats us solely on the basis of the harm done to us."

This was a statement by Jan Meyers in her book, "Listening To Love".

I felt for years that Christ saved me because he felt sorry for me. It was an incredible thing for me when I realized that He redeemed me because He loved me, and loved me before the foundation of the world!

He doesn't feel sorry for us, He loves us and He continues to use our circumstances, choices, foolishness and even the hurts we have experienced to make us more like Him, Rom 8:28-29.

We have an enemy who hates us, but also a Father who loves us and will always do what's best for us. What a wonderful truth and comfort this is.

I will give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever! Ps. 118:29