One day a poor laborer came home with a big bundle of dry sticks, for the evening fire. Their cottage was small and cold, yet their hearts were warm and knit together as a family. Just then his two teen age sons came in shouting and screaming at each other, over a game they were playing outside. Mother was busy getting supper on the table, so father stepped in to make peace. They explained their tales of woe and expected Dad to take the right side as he always did. The father listened carefully and said nothing. He walked to the bundle lying near the door and picked out a few twigs. He snapped one in front of them, gave them one each and told them to do the same. Each one of them did it with such ease and wondered what dad had in mind. Dad now asked them to do the same with the bundle keeping the tie firm. Both of them were surprised that father had given them such an impossible task.
Dad then explained to them how fragile and temporary life is when individuals are selfish and work alone. There is strength and mutual support when we cooperate and work together. Our family bundle is tied with chords of love and we can withstand stress and strain collectively. Because we pull together, respect each other and are bound with chords of love, that cannot be broken. Supper was ready and the family had a wonderful time forgetting their differences and counting their blessings. The boys never forgot this lesson throughout their lives.
Parents show unconditional love to their children, always giving and not expecting anything in return. Even when they are naughty or bad there is love that covers a multitude of sins. It is out of love that parents discipline, take away privileges or reprimand their offspring. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians in Chapter 13 gives an elaborate description of love, what it should do and what it is. We need to refresh our memory often by reading this passage.
The greatest love story in a nutshell is in John 3:16, God loved us and gave the Lord Jesus to die for us, so that we may be adopted into His family. Now we can enjoy all the privileges of being His blood bought children. We have to decide to follow Jesus by confessing our sins and making Him Lord in our lives. To those who love Him and honor Him, a new commandment has been given, ?To love one another?.(John 13:34 & 35 KJV) Those of us who have tasted that the Lord is gracious and loving need to love others as He loved us. Let us pray for heavenly wisdom to love and obey Him, ?Bind us together, Lord, in love.?
The author has used limited details from the Bible. Love is a word that has multiple meanings and implications. The writer tries to express the need to love one another. Leela Abraham email leelaab@yahoo.com Experienced Educator, Interested in writing devotionals to encourage teenagers and women. A sinner saved by faith, desires to share God?s love. | |
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