PROVERB 4: LOVE
Memorize it:
“Hatred starts fights,
but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.”
~Proverbs 10:12 MSG
Live it:
I am not a fan of colonial furniture, nor do I prefer to decorate walls with quilts or paintings of bowls of fruit. These tidbits about me came up in conversation during the first date I had with Chad, who is now my amazing husband. This is funny because Chad loves colonial anything and my mother-in-law is a talented quilter. So I did not impress Chad with my disdain for these things. Chuckle. Eight years later, I love my man and my mother-in-law something fierce, appreciating the hard work and beauty of the quilts she creates. However, I still am on the fence about colonial furniture and I still cannot handle paintings of bowls of fruit.
Which brings me to the last Proverb. Love helps me appreciate and value the passions of my mother-in-law. And it will help you embrace the differences that exist between you and your family members. Proverbs 10:12 says fighting stems from hatred. But love covers and protects from the coldness and harshness of words that hurt. So this Christmas, think before you speak. Hatred gets you nowhere. Give God your disdain so you can love those around the dinner table.
In fact, love your little heart out and leave offense, competition, and impatience out in the cold where they belong. Remember all of these Proverbs and use them. I trust they will help you enjoy your family this Holiday season.
Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Before you go:
I would love to know your answer to one of the following questions in the comment section below. What do you think makes a person easy to love or hard to love? OR for fun… do you like paintings of bowls of fruit? Yes or No. And no worries if you answer “yes.” I love you anyways. For reals.
And thanks for reading along and for sharing all of your reactions to this series and how it spoke to you online/offline with me this week. You bless me more than you know. Glory to God for moving through these short and yet powerful Proverbs. I mean they ARE His Words #notsurprised 🙂
Did you miss out on Proverb 1: Offense? Click here to catch up!
Did you miss out on Proverb 2: Competition? Click here to catch up!
Did you miss out on Proverb 3: Impatience? Click here to catch up!
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I believe it is easy to love those who are innocent and pure, like a child. They are the most like Christ…so the more someone is like Christ the easier they are to love. It doesn’t even matter that you are different, because those qualities are so inviting. Also, I agree with the above sentiment about fruit and such. NO!!!
“More like Christ.” I love hearing people talk about why they follow and love Jesus. Everyone’s story is different, as Jesus has many attributes. So I am glad you mention this in your comment. I am also thankful you agree on the whole bowl of fruit issue. You get it. Lol. #justno