"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you." I Thessalonians 3:12
I was testing out some settings on my camera when I took this photo in Thunder Bay. I was there on a work assignment, so I had plenty of time on my off hours to try out a bunch of different things. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to replicate the setting, though. I has something to do with extending the exposure or time the lens is open. It would work better with my story if it was the aperture that was extended (allowing more light- Light of Jesus - in), but I don't think it was that. However, extending our exposure to the Light (Jesus) does work just as well.
The photo does, though, give a good visual of how the flow of the river can hide the flaws and crevasses of the rock. Love is like the extended exposure of the flow of this river. If you stop quickly and nit-pick the little things someone says or does, if you stop and examine the faults, it's taxing on a relationship. But if you let your love flow over the imperfections, and anticipate that, in love, it will be reciprocated, then relationships can grow more deeply.
I'd like to think that I forgive and don't hold grudges. I tell myself that if I forgive others for the little things, they'll be more likely to forgive me for my faults -- Lord knows I have them. I'd like to think that my love for others flows over their imperfections, just as Christ's love flows over me and covers my multitude of sins. This is what I’d like to think I do. Bear with me if I’ve not perfected that yet.
Knowing and understanding that Jesus has forgiven me of my rocky exterior, allowed me to forgive people who have hurt me deeply. I must allow his love to increase and flow over. By His love, they will know who I am. I am His.
How much do you overlook the faults of those you love? How much does the love of Jesus flow over you, allowing you to overlook the small stuff?
