I recently came across an illustration about patience and long-suffering that gave me great pause.
According to a supposedly traditional Hebrew story, Abraham was sitting outside his tent one evening when a weary old traveler walked by. The old man looked tired and hungry from a long journey.
Abraham rushed out to help the stranger, inviting him into his tent. There he washed the man’s feet and gave him food and drink.
Without hesitation, the old traveler began eating his food before saying a prayer of thanksgiving. Abraham was taken aback, and asked his guest: “Don’t you worship God?”
The old man replied: “I worship fire only and reverence no other god.”
Shocked by the answer, Abraham quickly stood up, grabbed the old man by the shoulders and threw him out of the tent and into the cold night.
After the traveler departed, God called Abraham and asked him where the stranger was. Abraham firmly replied: “I forced him out because he did not worship you.”
God answered, “Although he dishonors and rejects me, I have patiently loved him these past 80 years. Could you not endure him for one night?”
This allegory made me think of how easy it is to love people whom we have a lot in common with, and how hard it can be to extend grace to those who don’t.
A quick mental scan through the names of my closest friends and I realize a common thread: We all believe the same basic things. That is a natural tendency: We have an intrinsic desire to commune with like-minded people. Nothing wrong there.
But the story depicts an Abraham who behaves incredibly harshly toward another human being, in order to illustrate 
a deeper concern that reaches beyond religious, moral or lifestyle preferences. I believe this story addresses our propensity to simply be impatient with people who behave, or think differently than we do.
Worse yet, it speaks of the danger of deeming ourselves better than others and choosing who deserves our (or God’s) grace and who does not.
I can’t help but think of the times we judge someone because they act contrarily of what we think they should, or lose patience with a loved one because they made the same mistake… once again.
Indeed, how many relationships end because we choose not to give someone another chance, or are quick to dismiss a person’s individuality because it does not look like what we see in the mirror?
There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with a person’s choices. In the story, God didn’t agree with the man. He wished for him to change and acknowledge him as his God. But the man’s choices didn’t change God’s love for him. On the contrary — God’s love was long-suffering and patient.
It may be that your child is rebelling against everything you’ve ever taught him or her, slowly becoming the very opposite of what you hoped and prayed for. It may be that your spouse’s stubbornness grates on your nerves, and maybe the very thing that attracted you to him or her in the first place is now a point of constant contention. It may be that your boss is a hard pill to swallow and, although you really need that job, you are about to tender your resignation letter. Indeed, maybe you are at the brink of throwing someone out of the tent.
If that’s you today, could it be that God is testing the purity of your love and the strength of your character? Because loving and extending grace to those who fit our preconceived mold is a piece of cake. But forgiving and loving the unlikely? That’s what true love looks like.
Lord, help me break free from all preconceived molds and learn how to love like you do! Click To TweetThis article was originally published on Patricia’s Column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday, August 5th 2016.
Patricia, this is SO GOOD!
And so true. Such a great reminder for believers.
It’s easy to love the loveable. So thankful that God doesn’t only love me in the times that I am or have been loveable. We misrepresent Him when we do that to others.
Amen, Jody! Thank you for your comment and for stopping by! Have a blessed day!
A much needed writing as I see Christians pitted against one another in our political views right now.
Yes, Ladell. Disagreeing about anything does not mean we have to be hateful towards each other. We can speak out about what we believe to be right or wrong, and still love each other. That’s what Jesus did all the way to the cross.
Amen!! I hope this circulates. I’m hurt and saddened with what is going on among our brothers and sisters right now. It keeps me and others right before the throne though! Right where He wants us!
Patricia, oh how I needed to read this today! Only yesterday a love one was saying that she would probably be getting a divorce and two of my love ones no longer honor and love God as they were brought up to do, totally ignoring Him and they have precious little ones to teach. I pray daily for them but too often I get “bent out of shape” because they don’t do as they were taught. Thank you for reminding me that although they don’t honor God they way I want them to it’s His love for them that will change them – not me!
Thank you for your transparency! It blessed me indeed!
Bunny – I am so glad that this message spoke to your heart! Thank you for sharing your testimony here. I believe God just used this to remind you that He hears your prayers… Just keep praying and offering them your unconditional love, then keep trusting and claiming that your loved ones will “come back to the Father”. I will pray for you and for them right now. God bless you, sister!
So much truth here! We really do flock to the people who are similar to us. Thanks for this important reminder to branch out to love and extend grace to those we normally wouldn’t. It’s such a beautiful way to show Jesus here on earth.
Amen, Candace! Thanks for commenting and visiting my blog. Blessings!
Perfect illustration to move us (especially “church” folks) out of our pews (or comfort zones) into the streets that are full of wanderers. Thank you, Patricia, for your faithfulness to God’s truth and love.
Thank you so much, Deborah. You blessed me with your comment!
Oh, this is such a powerful message, Patricia, and one we all particularly need to hear in these days of such political tensions and tirades, pitting this group against that, only to stir up hatred and distrust. Those feelings divide us as a people and a nation. If we could love as God does those who are “different,” we might begin to see things in a whole new light: Christ’s light.
Blessings!
Amen, Martha! Thanks for always commenting! Blessings to you!
Tremendous article Patricia, edifying and convicting. Your gifts from God, writing skills and love for Christ and His word were seen and felt through out. I sat and smiled to myself as I imagined the readers of your article as they finished it going, “WHEW” (as I did) realizing that God had just spoken to them through you. To God be the glory for using you so mightily to bless so many. May He keep you humble.
Thank you, Walt. I am humbled, because so many times the articles He puts in my heart are so hard to write. So, to see the response and how God uses them to speak to someone, even if only one person, is always a humbling experience for me. I appreciate your support and encouragement. God bless you,