By now you’d have to be living in a cave not to know Pope Francis is visiting the US in September. Perhaps you also have heard that he plans to visit a prison while in Philadephia. At first when I became aware of this, I thought, huh, couldn’t His Eminency’s  time be better spent visiting a school, a hospital or even a homeless shelter…instead of a bunch of criminals? After all, the Pope only visits our country every several years and he’s only here for a very short time and there are millions dying to see him. But this morning, sitting in church, praying about a difficult person or two in my life that it seems I am being called to work with (and am reluctant to),  I realized something; the Pope is just like Jesus, leaving the 99 sheep to find the one that is lost.  Jesus says “…there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.” (Lk 15:3-7)  I was considering just “walking away” from one of these individuals in my life who is causing me anxiety yet may need my help  – it’s too hard, I don’t have the time,  it’s just not worth it, etc.  It’s just easier to hang around the bunch of “good” sheep in my life instead of focusing on the problem “bad” sheep who is “lost.” But then what God calls us to do isn’t always easy, is it? And yet (usually I can see in retrospect) it somehow always helps us to grow – in humility and in love. This week I will try to love the “unlovable” in my life a little more.
Wow, we get what we need when we need it. I had yesterday decided I needed to give up on Kevin. He had his 3 yesr old pee in a cup to use for his drug test. I was ouitrageded and decidied to give up hope ffor him finding a better way of life. Hoe wrong I was– and how the passage from the Bible points that out to me. Thank you for sharing. Hugs, Carol
Thank YOU for sharing…we never know when God is going to turn things around. I will pray for you, him, and your granddaughter especially.
Hugs back,
Michele
Your post reminds me of how, in humility,Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.
Also, my mom used to say, ” The most unlovable, need the most love.”
Michele, thank you for your thoughts today.
Gigi,
Thank you for reading and responding – you are in my prayers!
Take care,
Michele
I remember when I was the “unlovable” one that had been rejected by church people and did not want to trust others… and then after viewing myself like that for many years, another one did love me and risked a lot to show me love.
It changed my life.
I could have burned that person. Not sure why I didn’t. But for once I was offered red carpet treatment I did not deserve, and it came at a moment when my heart was deeply convicted by it.
Thank you for caring. Thank you for posting. I pray you remain faithful even when you get burned. May God grant you to come to the party where that one is rejoiced over!
Dear Agent X,
Thank you for your reply to my blog, “Loving the Unlovable.” I wish you much love, especially during this holiday season – and I am grateful for those who respond so thoughtfully to my posts…you are also an inspiration! God bless!
Michele Chynoweth