Perception/Love

"Mom! Come QUICK!!"
As a mom, this phrase, especially when expressed with excited urgency, always seems to ignite a feeling of "Okay Lord, let's go face this together..."
Today was no exception.
I grabbed my coat and raced up the hill to the barn where my daughter was excitedly pointing. "Over there!..Look over there!"
I turned in the direction she was pointing and not more than 60 feet away stood the most magnificent creature I had seen in a long time.
I stood, not wanting to take my eyes from him because I knew in a moment, with all of the commotion his presence was causing, that he would take flight.
His large pointed ears sat perfectly on his beautiful silver gray head and from where I stood, I could just make out the copper highlights lacing his strong front legs.
I have never had the opportunity to see a coyote in his element for so long and so close. He was beautifully filled out and more closely resembled his cousin the wolf than the scrawny and scrappy animal I had envisoned a coyote to be.
He playfully danced as drops of water fell onto him from the tree branch above, by his behavior, I assumed he couldn't be very old. Why on earth would he be here for so long, allowing us to take in his gorgeous presence?
He playfully pawed at the ground in front of him. His simple action caused my skin to crawl and I felt anger boil inside of me.
In a quick moment my perception of this beautiful animal changed and I now saw him as an eager predator of easy prey. Was that Tigger at his feet?
Our cats have always been dog savy, having two of their own they knew how to handle them, however a coyote certainly had other intentions that they probably weren't aware of.
"Chase! Bring your gun!
I had to get this animal away from my helpless cat.
Just then he turned and raced away through the underbrush. I ran up to where he had stood and immediately felt foolish for my assumption. This playful pup had been toying with a piece of styrofoam!
Maybe my cats ARE smarter than I give them credit for....
Perceptions, assumptions, prejudices, judgements, when used with wisdom are life saving tools however, I find that most times they are misused to negatively influence my behavior toward others.
In John 15:12-13 Jesus says: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Not only does He command us to love those that are easy to love, but he commands us also in Matthew 5:44 to love our enemies: But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
God in His infinite wisdom knows me throughout, I am His creation. He knows that my simple act of obedience in praying for my enemies allows Him to work through me, changing my perceptions and negative thoughts. It requires no action on the part of my enemy, but a complete 180 in me. God knows what this is like because He lives it every day.
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
God in His perfection cannot be in the presence of sin and yet His love is so deep for us the sin filled, He created a way that we can exist with Him for all eternity. He loves us even though we're not and can never be, perfect like Him!
It amazes me how one small remark, action, glance, can affect another.
I once heard someone say to their child, "You would make an effort to pet a puppy on the street, how much more important is a human." Those words of wisdom have stayed with me to this day. How much more important is the person I pass on the street? How much effort does it take on my part to make eye contact, smile, and say hello?
My most memorable personal experience of this was, believe it or not, in my teen years. I had just had a devastating break up with the man that would, unbeknownst to me, eventually become my husband of 20+ years. I was walking through the Salt Lake City Airport, my countenance very low, my head to the ground, when I heard "hello" from a passing stranger. What?! I looked up into a smiling face. I heard it again from another as I walked, and again as I made my way to my gate.
The affect these strangers had on me was unforgettable, I was at a low point in my life and here complete strangers took the time to acknowlege me. "Love letters from God" is what I've labeled them. The dark times when God's love shines through. God's personal signature of His love on my life.
So why let my perceptions, assumptions, prejudices, judgements of other people get in God's way? Who am I to allow this? Instead I need to look at people through God's eyes. I need to Love with God's heart, and use every opportunity to acknowlege God's creation with His love.
I guess this of course also applies when I'm driving... :)
My prayer for you is that you too will experience the joy of loving God's precious creature made in His own image. That by setting perceptions and predjudices aside, you will see humankind through God's eyes, with God's love.
Take care and God bless.