DAILT DEVOTION: "My Priorities"

Day 6: My Priorities

Scripture: (Matthew 5:44): But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

Author: Elizabeth Lucas

On Monday evening, I read the key verse for my next Trek lesson. I thought to myself, this will be an easy lesson because I do not have any enemies. (Do not ever utter words like that to the Lord before praying about something. He will quickly show you how wrong you are.) I continued my preparation and study throughout the week. On Friday morning, I got a tremendous shock! I learned the woman I was standing face to face with in my home, an employee, was the granddaughter of the man who murdered my uncle.

I looked at my watch and excused myself as quick as I could. I was crying, nervous and falling apart. When I was finally able to call Shannon and speak, I felt like I was having a heart attack. I had just been face to face with a woman who was my sworn enemy before she was even born! We had already known each other for five years. I was so upset, I wanted Shannon to fire her. I agreed with Shannon to pray about the situation. He said if my feelings did not change he would explain the situation and let her go. (Prayer puts things in the right perspective. Philippians 4:6-7 - 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.)

During the week I prayed for my newly discovered enemy, I recalled some of our conversations. I knew she had a rough upbringing. She seemed to gravitate toward my kindness and advice many times. I cared for this woman and her little girl. My biggest struggle was the fact that I would have to tell my family the truth starting with my best friend, my Grandma.

Shannon was relieved with my decision because the woman was a great worker. However, he understood the burden I was carrying. During this time, I was spending Friday nights with my Grandma. At the breakfast table one morning I broke the difficult news to her. She cried briefly and after she wiped her tears, she shared the most beautiful story of forgiveness, besides our Savior’s, that I had ever heard.

My Grandma’s second child was a boy. He played so hard a filled her heart with tender laughter and later tears. He innocently got mixed up in the wrong crowd and was murdered because of information he knew. My Grandma was not certain of his salvation and was overwhelmed with grief. For three months, she stayed in bed. In her prayer time the Lord told her it was time to get up and forgive. She proceeded to tell me that every day until the man died in prison, she prayed for his salvation. She prayed that he would have the opportunity he may have taken from her son. (There is power in prayer. “And this is the boldness we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14)

I know people say they pray and don’t always follow through but my Grandma was a devout prayer warrior. My last visit to her empty home, I knelt beside where her bed sat when I was a little girl. I want to kneel and pray thanking God for her example in that very spot. (Prayer and waiting for God’s responses build your relationship. (James 4:8: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”)

The young woman and my family have all learned the truth in this situation.