“How could you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman for a drink?” (John 4:9, NASB) The Golden Rule reminds us to “treat others as we would like to be treated.” How often do these words come out of our mouths as mothers? “Treat your brother/sister as you would like to be treated”… “How would you like it if someone treated you that way?” I know that I say these things all the time, but do I actually think about the depth of their meaning for both my children and for me? How would I truly like to be treated? Jesus gives us the ultimate example of the Golden Rule in this last Sunday’s Gospel reading of “The Samaritan Woman at the Well.” At that time, the Jews and the Samaritans hated each other. They would not even be in the same place together, let alone talk to each other or share a drink together. Also, the fact the Samaritan was a woman, an adulterer, and a sinner, gave Jesus every reason not to treat her with respect. But Jesus, as He always did, proved that love is the most important of all virtues, especially when it comes to the way we treat others. He did not judge. He did not punish. He did consider himself superior. He simply loved and treated her with ultimate respect, offering her the “living water” of eternal life and salvation. When I really think about how I would like to be treated, love is the only answer… real, true, Jesus kind of love! At many a wedding, we have all heard the passage from 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, 13 regarding love. This is such a powerful passage in many ways, but today I ask you to meditate on it in regards to the way that we treat others, from our kids to our husbands to our families and even those who have hurt us… “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails… And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Treating others with this kind of love will break down walls, stop cycles of hatred, bring families together, and even end wars. Love is the answer! Most of us moms have probably seen the movie Frozen by now. We actually just saw it for the first time this last weekend and all loved it. The one line that really hit home most for me was “Only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart.” In the movie, the act of true love that is shown will surprise you, but it is truly the kind of love that Jesus gives and wants for all of us… unconditional, unselfish, and undying! So for today, treat others with true love and thaw frozen hearts all around you. For meditation: Who is the “Samaritan Woman” in my life right now? Who do I need to work on treating with the love and respect that Jesus calls us to? Re-read the passage of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13 (above), but this time replace the words “love” and “it” with your name throughout the entire passage. Listen to the message of Jesus’ love for you! Written by Amy Connelly for the OLQA Mom's Group
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January 2015
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