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Day 109: Love God! Love people!


July 2, 2020


Relationships can be like canoes.  Everything is fine if both people are calm and seated.  But if someone suddenly stands up and “rocks the boat”, the whole thing can flip over, and everyone gets wet.  That is not what anyone wants when they are in a canoe.  In a relationship, when the “canoe flips over”, quick decisions must be made.  Do we laugh or get mad?  Do we sink or swim?  Do we turn the canoe over and help each other get back in or swim our separate ways?  There is also the difficulty that arises when two people in the same canoe are rowing in different directions or not in sync.  That can cause some serious “canoe chaos”!  In either scenario, who did you picture being in the canoe with?  Your spouse, your sibling, your child or parent?  Did you picture a smooth ride or white-water rafting?  Is the ride a partnership or a one-man-show?  (one person putting forth all the effort…)  Sometimes the scariest part of a canoe ride is getting in the canoe.  There’s a lot of balancing involved and watching where we step,  just like new relationships, when we are careful not to upset one another or “step on anyone’s toes”.  But with our older, more comfortable relationships, sometimes we forget to be full of care or concern.  Today as we ride in our relationship canoes, let’s be aware of the importance of balance and consideration and be sure we are contributing equally and in a positive way.  God loves to see us happy and smiles when we treat each other well!  1 Corinthians 16:14 (NIV) says: “Do everything in love.”  1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 (NIV) says: “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”  Love God.  Love people.  Smile and be joyful!

A song to encourage you:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-29WLQ3trA


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