Woman to Woman – Put Up With One Another

Here we are at Wednesday again. Friend, it’s time for our mid-week encouragement, woman to woman!

Monday morning as I was backing out of our garage to attend my Bible study meeting, I realized the garbage can was not at the end of our driveway. It was garbage day, and my husband forgot to put it out. (Sigh.)

I put our vehicle in park, and proceeded to carry (more like drag) the heavy garbage can to the end of our driveway. All the while, I was praying my clothes would remain clean..

Now, this post isn’t meant to throw my husband “under the bus.” Not at all. Bill didn’t intentionally forget to put the garbage out. He worked a long night, and clocked out at 7am. He was tired, and wanted nothing more than to get to bed. I would too, if I was up all night. He simply forgot.

Apostle Paul shares some practical and powerful truths to remaining unified with one another in Colossians 3:12-14 reads:

Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Put up with one another. Forgive. Pardon any offenses against one another, as the Lord has pardoned you, because you should act in kind. But above all these, put on love! Love is the perfect tie to bind these together.

Put up with one another. Other versions read, “Bear with one another.”

I had a choice right then. I could get mad, or I could have compassion and forgive.

There have been countless times Bill has “put up with me.” Put up with my complaining, my grumpiness, my forgetfulness, my moodiness, my ignorance. He doesn’t count those things against me. I thank God he doesn’t. Instead, he loves me through it all.

I imagine things happen in your day that annoy you. I also can guess there are people in your life who may do something to bother you.

–Someone in your life may forget to put out the garbage, and you’ll have to do it in your dress clothes.–

When these kinds of things happen, we have two choices. We can choose to get upset and let the situation ruin our day, or we can choose to remain unified and “put up with one another,” and be blessed in doing so.

Monday, I chose the latter. His day and mine were much more pleasant. (Smile.)

Today, friends, as we go through our day, may we be reminded to not be so quick to be annoyed or offended, but to “put up with one another,” out of compassion and forgiveness. I’ll be praying for us all today!

I’d be blessed if you’d share your thoughts below. Happy Wednesday!

Julie

I’m linking up with my friend Meredith at www.4hisgloryblog.com on the Woman to Woman Wednesday on Bearing With One Another.