The One with a True Example of Acceptance

I'm bringing a shout out to Paul and Linda today! They are celebrating 50 years of marriage! When looking at Paul and Linda and how to honor them and the 50 years they've been together, it's impossible to not think about all they have done in obedience to God and the calling on their lives. They are passionate about keeping God at the center of all they do. They live by the examples Jesus set for them in the scriptures and it reflects in their character and who they are.

One of the biggest impressions that I felt personally from them is acceptance - Paul and Linda accepted me as their own from the moment they learned I was potentially stepping into their inner family circle. I felt super awkward and insecure....

...you can literally see how awkward I was feeling in this picture. I remember actually hiding behind Joe at first because I wasn't sure how they would feel about me being there with him. You see, they knew me. They knew my past. Not every detail, but enough of it. They taught my children in children's church. They knew some of my history. I wasn't sure I truly even belonged there that day. At that point in my life, I wasn't sure I really belonged anywhere. Paul and Linda didn't think twice about anything in my past or what I had been through previously and made sure to show me just that. They were actually joyful I was there. I wasn't just accepted by them for who I was the moment I walked through their door, they joyfully applauded my presence.

When thinking back on that moment, I'm reminded of the story of the woman at the well in Samaria in John 4:1-42. I can relate so closely and personally to this woman. Jesus knew her whole story, her past, and accepted her anyway. More than that, He loved her anyway. This woman was a living example of what it is to be deemed "not good enough" by society. There was a great divide and people of Jewish origin were not to interact with Samarian people. More than that, she was a woman. By all rights, according to society and the standards society had set, there's no way Jesus should talk to this woman.

Jesus was walking along and got a little tired so he stopped and rested at the well around noon. Specifically noon. Jesus is intentional in everything he does. He knew she would be coming along. He asked her for a drink of water. He approached her and talked to her. He purposely went through Samaria to seek her out and change her life. She was confused because He was talking to her, a Samaritan woman. Jesus let her know that if she knew exactly who He was, she'd be asking Him for a drink of the living water. He was talking about His Spirit - God in us - He will give you enough to not only quench your thirst, but to also well up inside of you and pour out to everyone around you. She didn't quite understand that at this point in their conversation.

They converse further about water, both talking about different things. Have you ever had those conversations? They can become interesting. She finally starts to understand a little bit and Jesus starts talking about her life and her past. We aren't told whether her past was due to her own choices or out of her control, regardless, it wasn't the greatest past. Through their further conversation, Jesus reveals who he truly is to her. The Messiah. This is another great example of Jesus. Who Jesus truly is and the Word of God is spread to others through conversations, connections, and relationships. Jesus did this time and time again throughout scripture, He went and talked with people - connected with them.

After this revelation, Jesus told her she could worship God - in spirit and truth - wherever she is. He invited her in. He accepted her regardless of her past. She was so excited by His acceptance, she left her water jar and told everyone the Messiah accepted her EVEN THOUGH he knew everything she had ever done. She may not have been good enough for society but in Jesus she was not only good enough, she was accepted and loved for who she was right where she was. Because of her testimony, other people in her community also began believing in Jesus. It opened the door for others. You see, people are most impacted by being known and accepted. We are all human and making mistakes daily - one mistake is no worse than another, we don't always have to agree with what people are doing or their choices - but we do have to love people as they are.. accept them regardless. We are supposed to love people well.

Paul and Linda always have open doors. They believe in open doors and often open their doors for anyone who needs the door to be open. Both spiritually and literally. They look at you in love and acceptance and do exactly what God placed them here to do every day. They are filled with God's Holy Spirit and follow wherever and whenever God leads them. The confidence they hold in God and each other to continue doing whatever God leads them to is an example I will never take for granted. Their love and acceptance of me for exactly who I am and what I've done or been through is a gift I will always cherish. They are not just teachers and mentors; they are true examples of what we are supposed to be doing while here on earth. They follow the example Jesus set before them and have become examples themselves to those around them. This is exactly what Jesus was talking about all throughout the Bible. Living out God's Word in our daily lives. It is an honor and privilege to honor Paul and Linda today in all they have done and continue to do for God and the people He places in and around their lives.