Wellspring. Karen Moore

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      February 3

      Love Says, "I'm Sorry!"

       Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins.

      —1 Peter 4:8

      Love is a multifaceted thing and one of its best attributes is that it allows us to forgive each other when we mess up. Imagine if you got a scratch on your hand, then you got a bruise on your ankle, and then a scrape on your knee. Now imagine what you'd look like in a pretty short order if those scrapes and scratches didn't heal. What if you had to walk around wearing every one of those bruises for the rest of your life?

      Fortunately, God designed us so that we can fall down, get a few scrapes, dust ourselves off, and walk on again. In a pretty short time we'll be healed and good as new.

      The same opportunity is yours when it comes to healing the bumps and bruises in your relationship life. The people you love sometimes cause you to feel a bit bruised. Sometimes they cut you to the quick, and you feel like even a bandage won't fix it. The truth is, love can fix it. Love is the one thing that can make everything that goes haywire, okay again. Love means you know just when to say, "I'm sorry," and just when to receive an apology from someone else.

      It's a new day and a new opportunity to heal a bruise and make things whole again with someone you love.

      In the Flow

       Lord, I thank you that you love me so much you forgive me over and over again. Remind me often to do the same for others and to remember that it's good to say, "I'm sorry." Amen.

      February 4

      Love... There's No Faking It!

       Love should be shown without pretending.

      —Romans 12:9

      No matter how we address the idea of love, one thing remains true, you simply can't pretend to love something you don't. Sure, you can try it on, test it out, and see if it happens, but eventually you'll set it aside because it simply wasn't genuine. It simply wasn't the real thing.

      Of course, great imitations are out there, those experiences that seem real or pass as love for a time, but then can't sustain, and so fade away. As a way to gauge this for yourself, put God into the equation. What if his love wasn't genuine? What if he was only pretending to love you? Where would you be?

      God can never be anything but genuine and real. He is love. He can only be love. We fall far short of that mark, but he loves us anyway. He says to keep trying. Keep following my example and I'll help you get a sense, a better idea of what real love is all about. He has provided us with amazing examples.

      Mother Teresa said this about love: "Spread love everywhere you go: First of all in your own house . . . let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier." You can't fake that kind of love. Share the authentic, genuine, unmistakable love in your heart and make it real in all your relationships.

      In the Flow

       Lord, you are such a great teacher. Teach me to love fully and completely, genuinely and joyfully for your sake and the sake of others. Let me spread love every place I go today. Amen.

      February 5

      The Problem . . . With Love

       We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

      —Romans 5:3-4

      The truth is this. Love is not the problem, it's the solution. Certainly soap operas and Harlequin romances carry on about the problem of love, but maybe love isn't the problem at all. Maybe if we handle any problem with love, the right kind and degree of love, we have reason to hope.

      Hope keeps us going and growing. When we show our willingness to endure the hard things, to grow past fears and obstacles, and to keep our eyes on the One who can change things, it makes a difference. Handling a problem with love instead of fear brings us into the place where change is possible. It brings us face to face with the Holy Spirit, who can then intercede for us and bring us back to safety and peace.

      It's been said that "the will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you." You can handle your problems with despair, or you can handle your problems with God's love. May your heart be filled with hope as you seek every solution through love!

      In the Flow

       Lord, I don't always know how to tap into your love. I try hard to do anything I can to fix a problem and then I come to you exhausted and weary. Help me come to you first and fill me with hope. Amen.

      February 6

      Oh, for Goodness' Sake!

       Let's not get tired of doing good, because in time we'll have a harvest if we don't give up.

      —Galatians 6:9

      If you're the kind of person whose heart goes out to nearly everyone you meet, who tries to do a kind deed, or several, every day, and who pays attention to the things members of your family all want, you may get a little weary. After all, you're taking on a big job and you do that job without hesitation. You're gifted at goodness! So, what happens when you just can't do one more good deed even if it rings your doorbell and demands attention?

      Chances are, you don't really think of all those benevolent things you do in this way, but it's also a good chance that you do grow tired of being the one who reaches out first. You may simply begin to wonder if what you do makes any difference at all

      . God sees you, and he sees what you do. Those are good reasons to keep going all by themselves. Another reason is that he has given you a spirit of giving. Yes, there's a lot of work to do. But, one day, there will be a harvest and you will have the joy and pleasure of seeing some of your work as it plays out on the heavenly broadcast coming sometime soon.

      Don't give up! Your good deeds make a difference to every person's life you touch. So, for goodness' sake, take a bow! You deserve a little standing ovation today.

      In the Flow

       Lord, you know it does my heart good to do the things I can for others. Thank you for giving me a spirit of compassion and giving. Guide me to give in ways that please you. Amen.

      February 7

      Love Is the Best Ingredient

       Better a meal of greens with love than a plump calf with hate.

      —Proverbs 15:17

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