Book of First John - A Devotion from Pastor Edie

Week Two of The Table Series:
My life was falling apart. My marriage was over, my work in 911 was overwhelming, and I couldn’t seem to connect with my children. My health was deteriorating, my personality was disintegrating, and my soon-to-be ex-husband’s insurance company declined to cover my car.
I hadn’t been to church for over twenty years. It just didn’t seem necessary. And, for goodness sake, how do you get three kids out of the door dressed and ready all at the same time? It was too much to add into my already busy life. Besides, much of the time, I was working on Sunday morning. But, I sure did need something at the center of my life. Maybe church would help.
When I went to the overnight shift, I was getting off at 7 in the morning. Getting me to the 8:00 service seemed feasible. I just let the kids sleep in. I was mortified when I fell asleep every Sunday during the sermon. The pastor was gracious about it.
He called and made an appointment to come and visit me in my home.
What an odd thing to do. I was sure he was coming to tell me to stop snoring while he preached.
It turned out, he just wanted to share his story with me and hear mine.
I ended up dumping a lot of my garbage into his lap. Once again, he was gracious about it.
“I’m so unhappy! I’m constantly angry. My kids don’t know what to do with me. Sometimes I think they are scared of me because I’m so easily upset. I don’t feel loved and I don’t know how to love anymore!”
He gave me a Bible, an NIV version. And, he told me this, “If you want to know about love, read First John every day for 30 days. It’s short enough to read in one sitting. You might learn something.”
I did.
I didn’t read it every day for thirty days, that was a bit much. I did read it multiple times, maybe twelve or thirteen times over the next six weeks.
I learned that God loves me. Me? Yes, me. And, because I have received this love, it is available for me to share with others. The only thing that can block this love is my ‘hate’ for my brothers and sisters. To me, ‘hate’ equaled the rage I felt for other people. And, the key to being able to love my siblings turned out to be the receiving of God’s love for me.
It changed my life.
I hope your life is not in a dumpster fire like mine was. If it is, though, First John can help you climb out of it. It’s not easy. It’s simple. Receive God’s love and share it with everyone you can.
You’re invited to read First John from beginning to end at least once. Will you let me know what you learn from it? Pastor Edie
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