“I have found the paradox – If I love until it hurts – then there is no hurt – but only more love.” Mother Teresa

This is my favorite quote.  Mother Teresa – modern day hero – living in an in-hospital situation – in Calcutta, India – working with the orphans and the homeless and unlovely – amidst adversity and poverty.  She considered it an honor to serve her Lord and to love people.

I have never been called to foreign missions – but have served for over 25 years beside my husband in ministry.  Not all of those years were good – many of them were under extreme circumstances – working with judgemental, narrow minded and unloving people.  This is the human condition – and is universal – no matter what line of work you are in – ministry or not.  People are still people.  People still have hurts and needs. But we have also found that people can be generous and kind – full of love, embracing without question.  We have seen both sides over the years.

What is the difference in the two groups of people?  They latter group does not hold on to hurt and pain – they have decided to love, no matter what the personal risk – have made a choice to forgive others freely – and they have found freedom.

Many things can bring you down and steal your joy – if you let it.

Weeping may endure for a night,

but Joy Comes in The Morning.

Psalm 30:5

Weep for awhile – we all need to do this at times in our life.  Grieve and mourn – there is a time for it.  But when that time is over we need to pull ourselves up and make a choice to be joyful. Pain should only be a place we “visit” – we should NEVER live there permanently.  Is this easy?  Are you kidding?  That’s why there are so many people hurting and in pain – so many counselors and psychiatrists – so many drug addicts and alcoholics – and so many suicides.

Somehow – with God’s help – we CAN be victorious – it is HIS strength through me that allows me to do this.  We cannot do it alone.  And we NEED each other – people and friends in our lives who gently love us and help us through.

We are called as Christians to love. No matter what.  Yes – love even until it hurts – and what I mean by that is  - sometimes it WILL hurt.  Who does it hurt?  It hurts me.  And we don’t like to hurt.  So we pull in to our “protective” shell – so that no one can hurt us.  But we cannot do this – if we are following the example of Christ in our lives.

I challenge you today – coming from one who knows just what I speak of – that you CAN rise above the pain and hurt in your life.  Not by yourself – but with God’s help – as we allow his presence in our lives.  As we submit to Him – give up our own agenda – and give in to what He wants for our lives.  It’s not easy and takes a daily – sometimes hourly commitment to get our thoughts and motives in line with what He has for us.

With this comes GREAT JOY!  And a wonderful peace that washes over you.

Love someone today until it hurts – be that example of God’s great love in their life today – what you will find instead of hurt – is just more love.

I am praying for you today,

God Bless