Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church Advent Devotions 2024
Tradition Tuesday: Love
December 17, 2024
Vicki Cromley
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Over the last several years, I have endured losses of loved ones, and there were times I just couldn’t understand why, but through grief work and a kind counselor, I began to find the blessings of peace in all that transpired, loving the simplistic and humble lifestyle of my sweet sister-in-law who died of cancer and had kept only those things she needed for living. I can only strive to someday make my life belongings as concise as how she set her example. My mother passed away with the gift of old age and a body no longer able to function as she wanted it to function. It was a hard loss to take, but I needed to be able to let her go in peace, and only until I was able to step away from the situation was I fully able to realize that. Her lifetime efforts have blessed me many times over and all I hope to do is to share those gifts with those in this world who need my love and kindness. It then became my brother’s time to be called home to heaven after suffering an unknown amount of time with terminal lung cancer. He blessed me with a beautiful wooded Georgia property and as I visit there and lovingly take care of that which he entrusted to me, I continue to bless those around me and am grateful and in awe of this beautiful country our God has created. Nature was my brother’s way to commune with God, not doubting for a minute that only a great being could create such a place. In the last few months, I experienced another loss of a relationship I cherished, and it affected my much loved child. I think that I don’t find hatred for what has happened, but only compassion and love, and the hope that peace may be had by all concerned. Thus, I am grateful for what has been, what can be, and the hope of love to come, if we but let it happen. I have a special gift in finding Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church near our Georgia home.
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, Thank you for the gift of mothers, sisters, and brothers, and those gifts they bring by touching our lives, but we thank you most of all for the gift of love, the babies in our world, and that of your beautiful Son. Lord of Love, may you grant us the gift of gratitude this Advent Season, that we may recognize all those ways you bless our lives, and that we share your love by sharing and showing love and kindness to others, even when we may have different views than others. It is only through love, that we can overcome all adversities to bring peace and hope to all through that love. Amen