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1 John 4:21
Common English Bible
21 This commandment we have from him: Those who claim to love God
ought to love their brother and sister also.
Sylvia and I were studying with Sara in Somerset West who
had expressed an interest in studying the Bible. She sat in an easy chair in
the corner of her living room. Nestled on her right arm sat the chubbiest
little black Wheaton Terrier I’ve ever seen. Every so often she would reach
into a box of chocolates with her left hand and pop one into Wheaty’s mouth. He
would lick her fingers and then chew contemplatively on the chocolate.
Sara had been telling us about a lady, Melody, from down the
street whom she couldn’t stand. She mentioned several minor things that bugged
her: her lawn was neatly manicured, not just mowed like Sara’s. She had a big golden
lab that she would walk on leash every morning. Sometimes the lab would leave a
pile on Sara’s lawn. Melody would reach into her fanny pack and take out a
plastic bag. Then she would lean over and primly pick up the pile, tie the bag
in a knot, and walk on. In Somerset West nobody ever picked up after their pet.
Once in a while Sara would be out in her yard with Wheaty
when Melody came by. When Wheaty saw the lab, he would dash, barking wildly,
and nip at the lab’s heels. Usually the south-easter was blowing relentlessly. Petite
Melody would struggle with all her might to drag the lab away while also
fighting vainly to keep her skirt modestly covering her legs. Sara would laugh
at the struggle and just let Wheaty do his worst. Served her right!
When Wheaty finally returned triumphantly after chasing “the
enemy” away, Melody would call back cheerfully: “Good morning! Have a beautiful
day! Don’t you just love this south-easter—the old Cape Doctor?”
Bright and early on Christmas morning, Melody had rung Sara’s
doorbell. When Sara had opened the door, Melody stood there in a bright summer
smock. She had reached out with a winning “Happy Christmas!” and handed Sara a festively
decorated platter of neatly braided and decorated koeksisters. Then she had
skipped joyfully down her sidewalk toward home.
“I just can’t stand her cheerfulness. I never have anything
ready to give her!” she grouched. Sara looked at me: “I know the Bible says to
love your neighbor.” Then she paused for effect before adding with venom: “Just
because I have to love her doesn’t mean I have to like her!”
How do you respond to an outburst like that?
Lord, help me
to love those I really can’t stand—like You love me.
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