“My wife and I arrived late to a crowded religious convention where there was standing room only. We noticed some people get up to leave, and after they hadn’t returned for several minutes, we took their seats. The woman next to us insisted that the chairs were taken. I assured her that we’d be glad to move if the people came back.
“Moments later we sang a hymn, and at its conclusion the music direction asked all of us to turn to our neighbors and say that we loved them. The woman at my side faced me and said, ‘I love you, but those seats are still taken.'”
“I love you, but…” How often does that phrase make its way into our speech? How often do we live it out in our relationships with others? I love you, but you’re going to have to do better than this. I love you, but why do you have to treat me that way? I love you, but don’t expect me to ignore what you’ve done. I love you, but I can’t trust you. I love you, but I’m still mad at you. I love you, but….
I guess we could all admit that we have a little more work to do in this regard. But aren’t we all glad that our Heavenly Father has never said these words to any of us? “I love you, but…”
Rocky Henriques
