The "Do-Over"

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."    Acts 2:42-47

         I heard a song for the first time on the radio the other day.... I don't mean I never heard a song on the radio before, but I had never heard this song before.   It was a new song by J. J. Heller called "Love Me".  You may have heard it.  Anyway I was just dumbfounded because the song said (almost word for word) something that I had said in this very blog only a few weeks ago...."Who will love me for me? Not for what I have done or what I will become. Who will love me for me?"  Wow that song really struck a chord with me... because I have been just having those very same thoughts so much lately. 
         I grew up thinking that love was a conditional thing... if you do what your parents want you to do they might love you.  If you screw up, they stop loving you.... but that is not really love.   God loves us totally unconditionally.  He loves us so much that he gave up His own son, to save our lives.   He loves us so much that He gives us a "do-over" every single day....  How many people do you know who would be willing to give you a "do-over" every day?  Yeah, there is a beer commercial on television that jokes about that.... but it's true.  Only God is willing to be that patient with our mistakes... people aren't. 
         I have been pretty much of a hermit this year.  I haven't gone out with friends much... I have a few good friends.  Really good friends.  Friends who do love me for me... and not for what I've done, or what I will be.... and I have been blessed to have been able to just hang with them.... even sometimes to just sit and watch tv with them.   We sometimes have deep discussions but we don't have to.... It is just awesomely refreshing to just be with them.  And I think that they know how special they are to me, and not because of what they do or will be.  They have become like family for me and I am so very very blessed by them.
         I have other friends whom I care about very very much.  I don't know what it is, but I just really like them.  Not for who they are, or what they have done, or what they will do, but just because I do... I can't explain it...  They know who they are....  These are the folks whom I may have reached out to and called... maybe invited them to have a cup of coffee or a meal or a movie or shop or whatever... just reached out to to try to spend a little time just hanging with them.... I don't ask often, and mostly because it's hard to have people say "not today" or "maybe next week" but next week never comes.... and then you wonder.... do they love you for you or for what you do... or for who you've been.... or for what you will do...
     Anyway enough about that.... the thing is.... God made us for fellowship.   He made us part of communities of people who live for Him.   The book of Acts tells about how God blessed the followers who joined together to praise Him.  To worship Him.  They broke bread together.  They prayed and praised God.   They were like a family.   It really seemed like they saw each other more than just Sundays and Wednesday nights.   And God blessed them greatly.   It's got to make you wonder....
       Dear Lord, thanks for the "Do-Overs".   I really need them.   Realizing that You do that for me has really made a difference for me.   I am very thankful for that.  I am also thankful for Your totally unconditional love.   I am still learning what that means.   It is still so very hard to comprehend... but thanks... and thanks for putting people in my life that love me and that I can love... and please help me to love unconditionally too..... Thanks.....