Love Is Patient And Kind

By: Katherine Kehler

"Love never gives up. Love cares for others more than for self." (I Cor. 13:1)

Someone shared this story with me and it reminded me of how often we make judgements about situations or people without knowing all the facts. How wrong we can be.

A man was on a bus and when the bus stopped, a father with several children got on. The children were very unruly. They wouldn't sit still. They kept changing seats and were fighting. They were doing all the annoying things that children do when parents don't control them.

The father had taken the seat beside the first man who by now was getting more annoyed by the minute, thinking, "why doesn't he say something to control his children?" Finally, he could take it no longer. He turned to the father and said, "Your children are out of control. Why don't you say something?"

"Yes", the father replied, "I suppose I should. But you see, we have just come from the hospital. Their mother died this morning. They don't know how to handle it and neither do I."

So often our judgements are based on outward appearances. We make them on hearsay or base them on our limited experience. We don't think the best of people. But God looks at the person's heart. Isaiah 11:3 has this to say about Christ, "He will not judge by the way things look. He will not judge by what people say."

The more we allow Christ to take control of our lives, the less likely we will be to make quick judgements about people or believe rumours. As we ask Him to put His love in our hearts we will become more like Him.

Lord Jesus, Your love is perfect. Thank You for being so patient and kind with us. When You judge and discipline us, it is because You have all the facts and it is for our good. Love always rules everything You do. We on the other hand are so often harsh and self-righteous when analysing the actions of others. We confess our critical and unkind attitudes to You today and ask Your Spirit to enable us to be patient and kind. Amen<