Allie's Way

“Harley’s love is unconditional a reminder to our family each day of Christ’s Love for us.”

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1: 14.

A rainy Sunday afternoon is good for one thing and that is a good movie.  After digging through all our movie apps we decided on Woodlawn. This movie is based on  true story which is one of our favorites.  This story touched me deeply as I watched and learned about the transformation in Birmingham, Alabama in the 70’s.  If God can use high school football players to change a city, then I wonder what he can do with me.  Watching this movie and thinking of this volatile time in our past, I realize that our country today is moving toward repeating history once again.  We allow charged words and actions to turn to hate, we forget the role model of our servant Christ. He showed us how to serve in love and always point our glory to God.  Social media makes it so easy to spew out words that seem “right” in our opinion, but really our actions will always speak louder than words.  Do we live the words we speak?  Jesus, of course, had both, but his actions and focus on people around him spoke the most to his disciples.  Would they have learned just from his words or writings like they did watching him live day to day dependent on God and loving all kinds of people.  Meeting people where they are.  Love always Wins.  “Love one another with brotherly affection.  Outdo one another in showing honor”.  Romans 12:10.  This scripture is a challenge to all Christians to strive to serve and show honor to all.

Christmas was a time for Christians to remember the greatest gift given by our Lord and Savior.  He loved us so much that he came to earth to live among us in human flesh.   John 3:16 our daily reminder… “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  Christmas is a reminder to us that life is about Jesus and not about us and what we want.  We have to remember that we live for him!  Christ speaks to us in John 13:34, ” A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:  just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”  Lets always remember to put Love first.

The innocence of a dog like our Harley is how our dependence on Christ should be.   We must believe totally that he is our Father and wants what is best for us whether it feels good or even hurts.  As we all move forward with our lives, my prayer to God is for more loving in our country and our families where we respects everyone’s opinions, and we all remember to choose to love others with our words and not choose hate.

Closing Verse: Galatians 5:13 ESV ” For you were called to freedom, brothers.  Only do no use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Challenge:  The quote below is being passed around on Social Media and I am not sure who the author is , but I am going to make this one of my new years goals.  I challenge you to make it yours.  “While much of America seems to be getting more and more divisive, I’m going to be holding doors for strangers, letting people cut in front of me in traffic, greeting all I meet, exercising patience with others, and smiling at strangers.  I’ll do this as often as I have the opportunity.  I will not stand idly by and let children live in a world where unconditional love is invisible and being rude is acceptable. Join me in showing love and respect to others.  Find your way to swing the pendulum in the direction of love.  Because today, sadly, hate is gaining ground.  Love must begin somewhere and love will overcome hate.  Imagine the difference if we each purposefully love a little more.” Praise God!