Showing God’s Love When People Interrupt Your Plans
Imagine you’ve reached the end of an especially grueling day. Your to-do list was long, the needs surrounding you were never-ending, and you’re exhausted. You want nothing more than a hot meal and a soft bed. The last thing you want is a lesson on showing God’s love it doesn’t come easily.
You pull into your driveway expecting a quiet house; instead, you discover a relative visiting with her children. They are on their way home from vacation and are hoping to share a meal and spend the night.
Regardless of how much you love your family, embracing the unexpected visit probably feels challenging.
Showing God’s Love When You’re Weary
The disciples probably felt similar sentiments at the end of a long day spent ministering alongside Jesus. As the day drew to a close, they were tired. They were ready to head home, eat dinner, and go to bed. Ready to call it quits, they asked Jesus to send the crowds home.
Much to their surprise, Jesus responded, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16).
Jesus’ response probably wasn’t the directive they were hoping for. They were tired, hungry, and ready for a break.
I can relate to the disciples. I’m all about serving others when their needs fit within my schedule. However, when serving requires me to embrace interruptions to my agenda and set aside my plans, showing God’s love becomes difficult.
One of the best ways to show God’s love is to serve others with grateful hearts—especially when we feel stretched.
Let’s talk about what this might look like.
Showing God’s Love in Unexpected Places
Jesus is calling us to share his love with others today, and he will provide ample opportunities. Here are a few examples:
Slowing down to encourage weary cashiers at the stores where we shop.
Staying after work to talk with distraught coworkers.
Stepping away from housework to look into the eyes of our children when they talk to us.
Cooking special meals for loved ones.
Reaching out to elderly neighbors with visits, cards, or cookies.
Answering the door when members of different religious groups come knocking.
Every time we embrace interruptions with love, we are showing God’s love.
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As a result of the disciples’ obedience to feed the crowds, Jesus used them to perform a miracle. Thousands of people were fed from just a few fish and loaves of bread.
In a similar way, when faced with the next interruption, your obedience might just be the backdrop for God’s next miracle in your life.
Your obedience might just be the backdrop for God’s next miracle in your life. #obedience #miracles #LovingGod #EncounteringGod Click To Tweet
Showing God’s Love in Your Daily Places
Here are two ways the Lord is teaching me to love others in the everyday places of my life.
1. Pray through your day before it begins.
Praying through the day before it begins prepares our hearts and minds to love the people God sends our way.
Most mornings, I ask God to prepare me for the predictable events of the day and imagine myself responding with love.
Next, I ask him to prepare my heart for the unpredictable parts of the day and show me how to love others when they interrupt my plans and push my buttons.
I imagine smiling at my kids when they come to me with knotted shoelaces and endless requests for snacks. I imagine taking the time to check in with friends or slowing down to talk to the local librarian. Asking God to fill me with love for each of these people, I pray he will align my heart with his heart so that I might carry his love to this world around me.
2. Slow down and create space to enjoy God’s gifts.
We are better able to show God’s love when we learn to slow down.
We avoid hurrying and live slowly—with intention. This includes taking the time to admire the sunrise, smiling as we watch our children play, and enjoying all of God’s good gifts.
It might look like slowing down to enjoy each bite of our meals, talking to God as we go about our moments, and snapping photos of dragonflies and snowflakes.
We open ourselves to love others when let ourselves enjoy them.
For example, I love my kids, but I don’t always enjoy them.
I’m irritated when they need me for tasks that I think they should be able to complete on their own. I respond with harsh words instead of open arms more often than I wish.
When they walk into the room, there are times my eyes don’t light up.
We all have bad days. Enjoying our loved ones isn’t about being perfect or never feeling frustrated. Instead, it’s about creating an atmosphere in which our loved ones know we delight in them. It’s about smiling with our eyes as often as we can, setting aside our agendas to listen, and listening with a warm smile for the thousandth day in a row.
A Free Devotional Book to With Showing God’s Love by Slowing Down
Lastly, I have a gift for you today: My free online devotional Unrushed: Slow Your Pace and Embrace the Fully-Present Life. This is a powerful journey into a life that is more present and engaged. Click here, and I’ll send this free online devotional to your email inbox!
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Calling all mothers and daughters!
Additionally, my 12-year-old daughter, Bekah, and I wrote a mother-daughter devotional book to help mothers and daughters grow closer together while connecting with God. Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith includes 60 devotions with Scripture, commentaries from both of us, conversation starters, and even a shared journaling section. Multitudes of mothers, daughters, mentors, and younger women are being transformed by this book! You can find your free Kindle Unlimited eBook or buy it in print for just 11.99 right here.
