Thursday, July 5

Thankful Thursday - Love






"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." I Corinthians 13: 4-7 (NKJV)


When I think about this scripture the first thing that comes to my mind is the responsibility we have as pastor's wives and leaders of our churches. In the early church, leaders modeled love to their churches. They lived by these words in the scripture. Love was the foundation and motive for the leaders' action.


As a pastor's wife and a woman in ministry I have repeatedly experienced everything but love from some folks throughout our ministry. I am thankful today that God has taught me how to love those who don't love others. I realize that if I were not able to love those who demonstrate a cold heart that I could not be an effective leader. When we dwell on the hurts and pains of life we become very bitter and indifferent. God's love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is utterly unselfish. This love is not natural. It is possible only if God supernaturally helps us set aside our own desires and instincts. The closer we come to Christ, the more love we will express to others.


~ Today I am also thankful for my husband who loves me unconditionally. He is truly my very best friend in the world.


~ I am thankful for our children we thought we would never have. After seven years of fertility drugs, numerous tests and a difficult and life-threatening delivery God finally blessed us with our beautiful daughter. Two years later after a high risk pregnancy we were again blessed with our son who is now an Evangelist. I am thankful for the love of my children.


~ I am thankful for the opportunity to minister and encourage other women to serve Christ and to develop into the women of God He has intended for their lives.


~ I am thankful for Luke and Victoria. There is nothing like the feeling of little arms wrapped around your neck giving Grammy a big hug!


~ I am thankful that I have been able to stick with my diet for the past three weeks and have actually lost a few pounds!


~ I am thankful for other Christian women who are an encouragement and mentors for me.


Blessings to each of you today!

12 comments:

  1. You are right, Debbie--the early church truly submitted to Christ's command to love each other. I hope that I will always follow His command, especially loving people that are not easy to love.
    How wonderful that you and your husband were blessed with two precious children and now two precious grandchildren.
    Cool that you are sticking with your diet--I actually need to start walking again (still working on a schedule that works for me :))
    Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this week.
    Be blessed today and always.

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  2. Too often, those in leadership don't have the wisdom that you just shared. I'm glad that you've allowed God's love to pour out through you. We need more leaders that are willing to do the same.

    May God bless you this week.

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  3. When I find that I have a love for someone who "seems" unlovable--then i know without a doubt where it came from. And then of course my heart is lifted with the knowledge that I am being used by God to minister to that person.
    Thanks for your list.

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  4. I love your thankful thoughts! I too, love those precious little arms that encircle my neck for sweet hugs! They are the sweetest gift from God!
    You are a blessing to all who read here! I hope your church ladies have the opportunity to enjoy your heart's thoughts.
    Have a wonderful rest of the week and blessed weekend!!!

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  5. Beautiful list! Dieting is difficult, so three weeks and a few pounds lost is a great accomplishment! Thanks for sharing! Blessings to you!

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  6. Your thankful list is beautiful, bless you.

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  7. Wonderful list Debbie. Your post about leadership is so true. May the Lord bless you this week and always.

    In his endless love,

    Angel Mama ():)

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  8. Great list and all wonderful things to be thankful for.

    Have a blessed day.

    ~Lyndy~

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  9. This is a beautiful post. I'll be back :-)

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  10. What a joy to read your thankful list on the love of God in your life with your precious family and friends. I rejoice w/ you in the blessings of our beloved men of God!!! Praise God for the blessings of your children--in God's perfect timing!! And now, the blessings of grandchildren! And, congrats on the wt. loss-woo hoo! :)

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  11. Blessings to you. That's a fabulous list!

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