I John 4:20
20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?
Double the Dose
Evangelist Michael Guido told of a wise physician who once said to a young doctor, “I’ve been practicing medicine for a long time. I’ve prescribed many things. But in the long run, I’ve learned that the best medicine is love.”
“What if it doesn’t work?” asked the friend.
“Double the dose,” he said.
Honored
F. E. Marsh observes, “Love has not an irritating thorn in its hand, nor a jealous look in its eye, nor depreciating words on its lips, nor sore feelings in its heart. Love sees the best in others, and the worst in itself. Love will wash another’s feet, and think it is honored by so doing.”
In Footsteps of a Pilgrim, Ruth Bell Graham began this poem for her mother when she was nineteen—on Mother’s Day, 1940, and finished it thirty-four years later—November 8, 1974, the day she died.
As the portrait is unconscious
of the master artist’s touch
unaware of growing beauty,
unaware of changing much,
so you have not guessed His working
in your life throughout each year,
have not seen the growing beauty
have not sensed it, Mother dear.
We have seen and marveled greatly
at the Master Artist’s skill,
marveled at the lovely picture
daily growing lovelier still;
watched His brush strokes
change each feature
to a likeness of His face,
till in you we see the Master,
feel His presence, glimpse His grace;
pray the fragrance of His presence
may through you seem doubly sweet,
till your years on earth are ended
and the portrait is complete.
May God paint a beautiful picture with you today.