I Peter 3:10a "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue
from evil.... " (NIV)
At the supermarket, I wheeled my three articles, precariously balanced on the
front bar of my two-wheel, two-back-skids walker, into the last check-out aisle
signed LIMIT 12 ARTICLES.
The lady in front of me had just put a few articles from her cart -- showing
more-than-12, onto the first edge of the moving counter top. Quickly stepping
aside, she motioned me into the space she made for me in front of herself.
The check-out clerk broke from her rhythm of keying-in the articles of her
current customer (ahead of the two of us) and smilingly plopped another
spacing-bar onto the counter, thus adding her go-ahead to my hesitation.
The clerk-out clerk acted out her practical graciousness, and the
over-the-limit-lady showed penitence by holding back her articles -- both with
kindness. I smiled my appreciation.
I could have pointed at the overloaded cart; the clerk could have pointed at the
sign; the over-the-limit lady might have kept her feet firmly grounded. All
three of us might have stiffened our backs or growled. Judgment, with wounded
feelings, might have reigned.
Yet surely, Proverbs 15:1a fit, "A soft answer turns away wrath ...." Yes, even
when words are unspoken.
I think we all learned something: By acting (though imperfectly) in Jesus' way
of love, we had evaded the "harsh word (that) stirs up anger" (Proverbs15:1b).
Jesus, to the extremity, taught us his way of love: At 1 Peter 2:23, we read
that, while Jesus hung on the cross, "When they hurled their insults at him, he
did not retaliate, when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead he entrusted
himself to him who judges justly." And more: "He himself bore our sins in his
body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by
his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now
you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (I Peter 2:24,25).
Prayer --Thank you, our Savior, for revealing your way of supreme love, first by
refusing to retaliate, then by giving yourself, the just for the unjust -- for
us. Thank you for bringing us to you, our Overseer, and Shepherd of our souls.
We praise you for rising and assuring us that we will rise to be with you for
all eternity. Continue, we pray, to strengthen our faith to entrust ourselves
wholly to you; and guide us in sharing your way of love. Amen.
Isabel Allison
Roland, Manitoba, Canada
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.