A month or two ago I found Emily at the kitchen table, working on something. She was preparing to use a piece of paper and marker. I asked her what she was up to and she said, “I’m going to put a few important rules on paper that I don’t want to forget,” and these were the two rules she wrote down:
1. Be polite.
2. Keep your shoes tied.
Hmmmm… you have to admit, those are pretty important…
She and I got to talking after this, you know about learning life skills and I reminded her of something we had been learning. It was a Scripture verse, that was also helpful. It goes like this:
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 10:12)
She agreed it should make the list.
Aside from the most important commandment in Scripture to Love the Lord your God, I can’t think of any other instructions that is given more often. Love one another. And this year, it has become our home school mantra. I mean, how else can we survive being together day in and day out with out these words: “Be devoted” It is the answer to every relationship dilemma.
He won’t share with me! … be devoted.
She’s not being fair… be devoted.
I don’t want him to do that… be devoted.
Make him stop touching me!…. be devoted.
And the list goes on and on.
What’s interesting is, I wasn’t prepared for how much I needed to learn the lesson I’ve been teaching my children. I mean, in my head I know the information. I am supposed to love others. However, living it is a totally different issue. The very words I found myself saying regularly to my children when they weren’t getting along, I now heard echoing in my own ears.
Plans are changing because my husband has to work late and I’m feeling less than happy about it… be devoted.
My children need something, but there is something I’d rather do for myself… be devoted.
A friend needs help, and it isn’t very convenient... be devoted.
Be devoted : It is one of the most important rules He gave, and yet it happens to be difficult to accomplish. The only way for me to live it is to understand that I can love others because He has loved me.
These are the words that He said, just before He left the earth:
33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (from John 13)
Simply put: He loved us with His whole life, and experiencing just how much he loves me allows me to love others unselfishly. Wow! It isn’t easy. I am human and want to put my own desires first. That’s just how I am. But Jesus asks for something so different. And, I do believe it is the best way to live. It almost tops the list, right below loving God with my whole heart and just above being polite and keeping your shoes tied.
daily portion 