So this is piecing...

[trustinginHim]

I spent a lot of time in prayer yesterday. The Lord has been placing some thoughts on my heart. When I got my email from Charlyne Cares today, it all became clear to me.

"ME? LOVE MY ENEMIES?"

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:44

How are you doing with loving your enemies? Who are some of your enemies? Do your love your prodigal spouse in spite of their behaviors, attitudes, actions and words? Have you asked the Lord to put His agape love in your heart for the other person? The Lord will give you His love as He died for all sinners and wants that other person to be saved also.

You may feel today that you have more people against you than are for you. Keep your eyes on your Lord. Do you know all what the Lord says about loving your enemies? Now you have to put it into practice!

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:27-31

It is easy to love the lovable, it is not easy to love the unlovable. It is not easy to turn the other cheek. Ask the Holy Spirit to pour unconditional love into your heart so that you can learn to love your enemies as Jesus did and as the Bible teaches us throughout the Word.

"He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and send rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?" Matthew 5:45-46

I know that you are hurting, feeling abandoned, lonely, and rejected by your spouse and possibly by other loved ones in so many ways. I know that often your spouse may be saying or doing things that wound you emotionally. God knows your hurts and needs. This is truly the beginning of developing your maturity in the Lord. I learned how to do this, by thinking, "What would Jesus do?" That kept my mind and heart in a proper perspective.

"If you enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you." Proverbs 25:21-22

Let God take revenge on your enemies. When you read and study the Bible, you read that the Lord protects His children from their enemies. God's children cry out and God causes confusion to the enemy while protecting His children. God's wants all of His children to become saved and serving Him. Pray that your spouse, other loved ones and friends will become obedient to God's will in their life and ask God to bless them. You will be blessed for your obedience to God's Word. Read Romans 12:9 to the end of the chapter. It truly teaches you about loving those who are coming against you now.

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay," Says the Lord....Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19,21

May you ask the Lord to show you how to love your spouse and others who you may consider today to be your enemies. Choose everyday to live in peace and unconditional love regardless of what others say or do to you. Give them to your Lord to handle. Read Genesis 13:1-12. Abraham chose to live in peace. What do you want to do?

"So Abram said to Lot, 'Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left.'" Genesis 13:8-9

May you and I try every day to live in unity and peaceful lives. Allow the Holy Spirit to change you and your spouse's heart. See what the Lord can do through you by touching and changing your behavior, your actions and your attitude. May you and I make a difference in this world every day!

I think it is fair to say that BMOW is my enemy. She desires to remain in my H's life and thus indirectly in mine. My H desires that she remain in his life through the business. Well, I am now a prayer warrior for BMOW. I was at one time earlier in this journey, but I have become lax. I feel compelled through my Holy Spirit to do a better job of loving my enemy, so I shall, and will trust the Lord to take care of me.

It has been a most circuitous route, this season in my life.

LG