“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Ephesians 5:2).

I’ve changed the names in our devotional today.

Louise and her husband were entertaining her husband’s boss and wife. Unexpectedly they had shown up at Ray and Louise’s home just about supper time on that Friday night. The boss and his wife were arrogant and filled with pride as they rehearsed their many luxuriant places and vacations. How embarrassing when the boss’s wife looked at the pot roast and remarked that she had never seen meat like that and passed it by. At first Louise was really angry. Then she remembered our verse for the day. She must act in love toward this rude lady and her husband. This was necessary not because they were the boss and wife. It was because she belonged to Christ and was commanded to walk in love in light of Christ’s offering and sacrifice to His Father.

Louise said to the boss’s wife, “You spoke to us of your dream vacations. What wonderful places the Lord has allowed you to visit. I would like to invite you to come for lunch sometime next week, and I would love to tell you where Ray and I are going someday. I am not going to tell you tonight where it is, but when you can come for lunch, I will not only tell you about this place, but I believe you and your husband will want to consider it as well.”

The boss’s wife was intrigued. “How about Tuesday?” she asked.

“Why, Tuesday will be perfect. See you then,” Louise said. With that the couple was out the door.

Ray turned and reached for his wife. “Way to go, Honey. You could have slapped her a couple of times, but you didn’t. The love of the Lord came through. Way to go about wanting to tell her about Heaven!”

For today: So, who is the most difficult person to handle in your life? Let the love of Christ be seen in your responses.