Love Is Patient

 Occasionally on a social media news feed I see a story about a neglected or abused animal which has been rescued.  There was the little pony whose hooves had overgrown so it was unable to walk properly, a cocker spaniel with hair so matted it dragged heavily on the ground, and other animals which had disabilities or were abandoned.  The video goes through the transition of recovery, fostering, and re-homing animals that often the rescuer love too much to let go.  There is an understanding these animals need help, patience, and an investment of time to earn their trust with continued love and gentleness.

These animals that have suffered from abuse and neglect can be quite skittish and hostile toward those who desire to help them.  They growl, bare their teeth, and even snap at any who invade their personal space.  Because of what the animals had suffered the animal lovers who hope to help them are compassionate and patient, realising their present condition is largely a result of their circumstances.  Neglect of proper care, food, training, and affection leads domesticated animals to become wild and dangerous to others.  Unwilling for an abused animal to be put down out of convenience, people make it their life's work to rescue, rehabilitate, and love on these animals who have never known love.

It is a sad and tragic reality that many people have experienced a life without experiencing the love of God.  They also can suffer the pain of neglect, abuse, and abandonment.  When I worked with fostered kids I met caretakers at their wit's end to know how to love and help a very angry, manipulative, and vindictive child who did everything possible to bring havoc into the home.  These folks did a wonderful job to continue to be patient with this little one who was hurting and continued to lash out in response to inner pains.  It is not just small children we ought to be patient with but to keep reaching out to hurting people who have suffered and are suffering.  Jesus knows exactly what they are going through and is able by His grace to give us wisdom, gentleness, and patience to demonstrate His love with compassion.

I remember one video where a rescuer moved a bit too close and attempted to pet a neglected animal and was bitten on the hand that drew blood.  "That's my fault," he said.  "You're not ready for that yet."  There would have been some people who would have taken that dog to be destroyed because the dog hadn't progressed quickly enough according to expectations.  Instead the rescuer took the blame for the incident and kept on showing love to the dog with gentle words and embraced slow progress.  This is what God's love looks like, doesn't it?  After coming to Jesus in faith He doesn't disown us because we lash out in anger and are blinded to His kindness and forgiveness by our pain.  Like a good shepherd who knows His sheep and calls them by name, the LORD seeks us out when we have been lost and neglected.

In 2015 "Chris the sheep" was found and rescued in Canberra with a uncut wool coat he had been carrying for an estimated 6 years.  Because no sheep can shear itself he required rescuing to be relieved of his own wool which weighed a whopping 41 kilos!  In a similar way Jesus rescues people from the burden of our sin, neglect, and abuse we have endured.  Removing the fleece occurred at once but Chris then needed to learn what it was like to live with a caretaker and among other sheep.  I do not know what goes on in the heads of sheep, but there is an incredible amount of thinking, feeling, reacting, worrying, fearfulness, and assuming which goes on in the minds of people.  It takes time to grow and develop as a person, and it also takes time to gain dexterity when an injured person needs to learn to walk again after a significant injury.  Let us be those who are patient and gracious to hurting people, that we would not just receive people into a church fellowship but into our lives, homes and hearts with joy.  We love God because He first loved us, and may we keep loving others as unto Him.