Daily Wisdom for Women - January 6, 2023

 January 6, 2023 - Above and Beyond - "You have heard the law that says 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies!  Pray for those who persecute you!  In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5: 43-45

Oh my!!  In the first paragraph is this lines "It means not just tolerating your enemies but loving them!"  Rhonda and I have had many discussions about that word 'love' and its meaning.  Both of us tend to reserve the word for people we have strong feelings for, such as our children and grandchildren and, of course, our husbands.  It is hard to show 'love' to someone who troubles us, such as a belligerent student. If I think of the word 'love' and attach a meaning of 'showing kindness or compassion,' then the word can work for me in situations where I need to show 'love' to others, those not in my family  

Next we are to pray for those who give us a hard time.  That is much easier for me to do.  I can pray silently for those who trouble me, who hinder what I am trying to do, who act differently than I expect in certain situations.  

There there is the word 'faith.' It is popping up more and more, probably since I selected it as my Word of the Year.  That's good though!  I need to see it used in various ways so that I can indeed grow in my own faith.  "Simply call up whatever faith you need to do His will, what He would have you do, remembering HIS way is the only true way."

The prayer:  "Help grow me, Lord, into the woman You want me to be.  Give me the strength, power, determination, and mindset, to walk in Your will and way.  Amen."