By Alec Niemi
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Years ago there was a very rough character living in our community. When he drank he would get into fights. Everyone avoided him because he even looked mean. Others challenged me by saying that he was the worst in the community and if anyone needed God it was him. I spent a lot of Saturday mornings going over to his house, making coffee and getting him out of bed. He would come downstairs cursing me. When he lit a cigarette he would intentionally blow smoke in my face.
He even asked me one time why I kept coming around when he intentionally did things to try and irritate me. I said, “I don’t have to like you, I just have to love you.”
In time we became friends and one day he did turn his life over to the Lord. And on that day he said to me, “Alec, I have been watching you for over a year now and you live up to your words, you loved me even though you didn’t like me.”
I’m sure we all have these “rough” characters in our lives. We don’t have to like them; we just have to love them.
My prayer for you this week:
“I pray Lord that you would give us above all, love for each other, because love covers over a multitude of sins. That you would help us offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Help us use whatever gift you have given us to serve others, faithfully administering your grace in its various forms. And if we speak, help us to do it as one speaking your very words. When we serve, provide us with your strength, so that in all things you may be praised through Jesus Christ. To you be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:8-11
You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/05/29/an_rough-character/
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Alec Niemi, an entrepreneur, lifestyle evangelist and pastor is passionate about helping people find Christ. He lives in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada.