Rodney and I have been in downtown Indianapolis for our annual Methodist conference. We always seem to have a good time at this because we get to see so many people that throughout the year we do not get to see since all of us are so busy in our own ministries.The first night of the conference Rodney and I found that it ended up just being the two of us going out to dinner. We decided to make it a date night and walked over to a nice fish restaurant. Normally this is not in the budget but once in a while you just need to splurge on one another. There was no wait so we got right in and were taken to a little cozy corner table.
We had found out that an old friend from Rodney's childhood was a prep chef in the kitchen. We hoped we might get to see him so the two of them could catch up. You see Rodney's friend, in the past, had gotten into a little trouble and had spent some time in prison. I think my sweet husband had some guilt because he had not been in touch with his friend since that time.
As we got seated and settled at our table that gentleman came out from the back and gave Rodney such a big hug. You could see relief come over his face as Rodney just squeezed right back. He sat right down at the table smiling so big. Peace was present at our table. As the two of them reminisced there was only friendship and a need to catch up. There was no chastising or judging. Rodney and his friend just showed the love that had started for each other all those years ago.
Christ told us to love our neighbors. He also reminds us that none of us are without sin. Some just seem to get caught in their sin. Like the lady here in John 8....
John 8:1-11
The Message (MSG)
To Throw the Stone
8 1-2 Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them.
3-6 The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.6-8 Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.
9-10 Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?”
11 “No one, Master.”
“Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.”
Notice how Jesus did not judge her, or shun her. He loved her and forgave her. Our lives, and hearts, and world would all be so much more at peace if we followed Christ in this.
People do hurt us. Friends sometimes do things that are hard to get past. Jesus did tell us to be wise as serpents and there are things that people do that we need to be leery of but staying angry is not good for any of us. Forgiveness is.
The manager of the kitchen heard about his prep chef's friend coming in to eat and visit and as we asked for the bill the waitress informed us that our meal was on the head chef. God's goodness pops up everywhere.
Rodney left that restaurant feeling so much better and a wonderful free meal didn't hurt either. Date night was great!!
Sure love my guy!
Blessings!
