very tight gloves

so, how do you make a bunch of kids from a township believe that they are loved and accepted just as they are by Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father? how do you actually show them? because believe me, telling them means nothing. they are told many things. their parents tell them things. teachers tell them things. siblings tell them things. the tv (to which they are all glued to - one thing township kids and priviliged kids all have in common) tells them things. and then we tell them things on Sundays. for two hours every Sunday from 3-5 we try and tell them that Jesus loves them. that He died for their sins too. that regardless of whether they are clever, clean or as filthy as can be, He loves them just like that. how do you do that? i realised about 2 weeks ago that i would have to SHOW them. that instead of TELLING them, i had to show Jesus' love to them. and not just to them. i had to make Him a part of my being. and although i know this, and i have been hearing this ( see, i am also being TOLD things!!) i only understood it when i finished reading Max Lucado's book "Facing your Giants". i realised that words are totally useless. i had to show, live, breathe and BE what i was trying to teach the kids. maybe others will also then come to meet Jesus. it seems to me as if "God" and "Jesus" is popping up everywhere - Facebook, bulk mails, sms'es - the Trinity is now a commercial commodity - and i am so happy that all these "tools" are being utilised, but i am also so saddened by the people who forward an email, "sign" a petition, share a link on facebook and send an sms, but in reality don't give any of this a second thought in their own lives. they just continue with their daily grinds - not even pausing to take stock. and i could not help but understand why people who are not Christians are so critical of Christians. we have alot to say, but we don't walk the talk. we look just like the unbeliever next door. really, there is no difference. same language, same habits, same criticism, same negativity, same unwillingness to share, give and love without getting something back. we are actually worse, as i know alot of atheists who would give some of us so-called Christians a run for our money when it comes to heeding Christ's commandment to take care of widows, orphans, feed the poor and forgiving. aah, the forgiving thing. yip. most Christians i know hate to forgive, unless the wrong against them has been righted. and is that not one of the worst sins? did Jesus not say that we cannot expect forgiveness from Him, unless we can forgive? Jesus forgives us unconditionally. we need to learn to also do that. if we cannot do that for our fellow man, how on earth can we expect God to forgive us? we are permeated with sin. every pore, every strand of hair. until He cleanses us with His blood. (maybe you are not so sinful, but i am!) so, to get back to showing the kids from the township how much Jesus loves them......... instead of telling them they are undisciplined and disobedient, i am now telling them that they are the most obedient and disciplined children in the whole world. i am showing them by hugging each and every one of them and asking them how they are and telling them that they look beautiful. (it takes a while to do with about 70 kids every Sunday!!) i am telling them how sinful i am. i am sharing all my mistakes. i show them the happiness i have inside of me because i know that i have eternal life. i try to BE happy when i am with them, so that they can SEE the happiness in me. and no, i am not always that happy. i also get sad and i also mope. but God is changing me daily. sometimes i kick and scream. sometimes i don't want to change. sometimes i want to hold on to that grudge or be a little upset. after all, it is so nice to nurture those negative feelings. the devil makes it so comfortable to be ugly! gossipping, griping, getting even. yummie. don't you just love and adore those ugly things? i believe because we are all born into sin, we all take to those sins so easily. they fit us like gloves. very tight gloves. and it is so hard to get one of those gloves off. if only we knew how snug and comfortable the new gloves are that are waiting for us. the ones Jesus wants us to wear........ so, i am hoping that by showing Jesus to them through loving them and accepting them just they way they are, they will come to know Him and realise that He loves them so much. so much that He died on a cross for them. as He did for you. because He loves you too. just the way you are. He will change you. you can't. i hope you all have a fantastic week - it is going to be a very busy week for me - lots and lots of work. i will keep you updated!! x