When Difficult People Become God’s Classroom

Well, howdy there, friend! What a real special treat to have you stoppin’ in today! So, come right on up here to this ol’ front porch, scoot that cane-bottom chair right there over by the rail, and don’t be mindin’ that lil’ ol’ squirrel fussin’ in the oak tree like it plum owns the whole mountain side. Some folks are real easy to love. Others can rub your last nerve slicker than an ol’ onery mule rubbin’ up against a fence post. And wouldn’t you just know it, God has a habit of puttin’ both kinds of them folks right into our path.

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:9, “Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.” That means love ain’t just a warm feelin’ that drops out of heaven like fresh baked biscuits from a skillet. It’s somethin’ God downright teaches us, often through people we never would’ve picked for the lesson.

Sometimes His classroom looks like a real difficult neighbor, a stubborn relative, a church member that sees everything sideways from you, or a coworker that can stir the pot faster than an ol’ raccoon meddlin’ around in a feed shed. Yet Colossians 3:13 tells us to “bear with each other and forgive one another.” That kind of love sho’-nuff’ stretches the soul.

And 1 Peter 4:8 adds, “Above all, love each other deeply.” Deep love don’t mean approvin’ everything or ignorin’ wisdom. It means refusin’ to let irritation become bitterness. It plum means askin’, “Lord, what are You shapin’ in me through this?”

Maybe its patience. Maybe its humility. Maybe its mercy. Maybe its the ability to see a person instead of just the thing that plum gets under your skin.

Father, teach me to love the people You place in my life. When someone frustrates me, keep my heart tender and my spirit humble. Show me what You are trying to grow in me, and help me reflect the patience, grace, and love of Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Alright now, friend, shake the dust off your shoes and git to easin’ yourself up and off from that porch chair so you can be headin’ right on back into the day like an ol’ barn cat that finally spotted where the warm sunshine has done landed. When somebody gets sideways with you, don’t git to puffin’ up like a turkey in matin’ season. Remember, that person may be standin’ right in the middle of today’s lesson from the Lord. God’s classroom can be mighty unexpected, but He don’t never waste the chalk or the time to make you more like Jesus.

With joy,

Gwen