Day 328 - Embracing Those Who Struggle

Do you consider the importance of embracing those who struggle?

Who do you know who is or has been lost? We all know someone who knows the sorrow of separation, even though they may never have gone anywhere. What do you think of them? With compassion, dread, longing, contempt, or sorrow for their suffering? Are they a lost sheep?

Do you pray for them? Will you rejoice when they return after finding their way? How will you greet them? Jesus suggests how we should act in the Parable of the Lost Sheep: will you use it as your guide? Will you learn to practice embracing those who struggle?

And he made a story for them, saying,

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if one of them gets loose and goes away, will not let the ninety-nine be in the waste land by themselves, and go after the wandering one, till he sees where it is?

And when he has got it again, he takes it in his arms with joy.

And when he gets back to his house, he sends for his neighbours and friends, saying to them, Be glad with me, for I have got back my sheep which had gone away.

I say to you that even so there will be more joy in heaven when one sinner is turned away from his wrongdoing, than for ninety-nine good men, who have no need of a change of heart. (Luke 15.3-7 Bible in Basic English (BBE))

Prayer:

Lord, it is not easy to always accept those we have watched sin and hurt themselves or others. Many times, it seems my first instinct is to be angry. I ask you to remove the anger and judgment from me. It is not my place or role to judge others. It is yours and only yours. Fill my heart with love and my spirit with compassion. Strengthen me to hug them in a loving embrace that demonstrates acceptance and love. Your love so that they might heal. Help me and guide me to a sincere relationship with them built on love. I thank you and love you, dear Father. I pray in Jesus Christ's name. Amen