For the past few mornings I’ve awakened, rolled over to see the time, and noticed it was 5:48…e-ve-ry-morning!  This morning, I smiled, shook my head, and said, “Okay, God, let’s get busy.”

The prayer requests list that is on the back of my door was already implanted into my brain.  As I’m refreshing my face, and lovely morning breath, those requests are already being lifted up to Jesus.  While walking into my study, I didn’t feel the need to even close my door as usual, because each prayer written on the door was written on my heart.  Prayers continued, then I tried to see if there was a connection to 5:48.  Was it a sign?

Play along with me here.  I opened each book of the Bible and searched for each chapter five verse forty-eight there was.  One.  There was only ONE 5:48 in the entire bible.  And, verse 48 was the last verse in that chapter too.

I read the verse and laughed a “are you kidding me” giggle-breath. (I couldn’t think of any other way to describe it.  You know…a heavy-quick-exhale-through-the nose, like a horse, with a hint of giggle. I know you’re trying it right now.)

But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.  Matthew 5:48 NLT

Serious?  Perfect?  Far from it!

In typical Stephanie fashion. I read the verses above it to keep it in context, and read a couple of commentaries about verse 48 as well.

A conversation that I had just had with someone the night before popped into my head too.

Again…play along with me…actually follow along with me as I chase 5:48 to make it relevant for us today.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly. If you do this, you will be children who are truly like your Father in heaven. He lets the sun rise for all people, whether they are good or bad. He sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong. If you love only those who love you, why should you get a reward for that? Even the tax collectors do that. And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than anyone else. Even the people who don’t know God are nice to their friends. What I am saying is that you must be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.  Matthew 5:43-48 ERV

Ahhh, the whole “love your enemy and pray for them” thing.  The whole “live like Jesus” thing.  Okay, God, I’m with you.  I’m not perfect, but I sure can strive to love and live like The Perfect One.

The whole “perfect” concept rang in my head.  I was speaking with a dear friend last night, and she commented “Stephanie, you are just perfect. I bet all your kids and your whole family are just bathed in Jesus and are perfect.”

I quickly replied, “HA! No way.  I am far from it, and please do not put me on that pedestal, because I will surely let you down. And please don’t put a scope on my family.  We are far from perfect.”

That’s a lot of pressure.

When my thoughts recalled that conversation, I glanced up to a photo and frame sitting directly in front of me on my windowsill.  Picture this with me (no pun intended, well, maybe a little): The rectangular wooden frame is a bit tattered on the corners.  It is painted black, with white lettering around its perimeter.  The phrase says, “Like branches on a tree we grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one.  Each of our lives will always be a special part of the other while our family tree continues to grow stronger and more beautiful with each generation.” The part that secures the photo in place is missing a couple screws, so tape is trying to hold it together,  although very loosely.  The photo itself was printed years ago from a home computer, so the clarity isn’t what it could be. Perfect? Far from it. But…

What I do see when I see this photo is a real family full of love, and yes…rooted in Jesus.  The picture was taken while we were on a trip to Maui.  We were standing outside of Mama’s Fish House, on the beach before sunset, laughing hysterically at the little children running around in front of us.  This photo brings back precious memories.  At that time, Hunter had a twisted ankle, Holly was stoked to surf in Hawaii, and Cole was grinning so big you could see the gap in his teeth where he was born without a tooth in that position.

What I do see when I glance at the frame in front of me, is the word FAMILY written in a font ten times as large as the saying around it.  I love my family…imperfections and all!

What I do see on the frame is some sort of stain, maybe from the original sticker that was on the glass, that I never cleaned off.  Bless.  But just like we are all stained, I’m reminded that God can wash away all our blemishes and make us new.

We should live in the light, where God is. If we live in the light, we have fellowship with each other, and the blood sacrifice of Jesus, God’s Son, washes away every sin and makes us clean.  1 John 1:7 ERV

I think about where each of our lives are now, compared to where they were in the photo, and how we live them.  I pray that each family member will have a heart for God and will strive to be more like and love like Jesus everyday.

Continuing down this search and thought process for 5:48…in the midst of reading commentary, thinking back at a previous conversation, and looking at the photo on my windowsill, an email notification appeared from Jennifer Rothschild.  Jennifer sends out a weekly podcast each Friday.  In her description of the podcast for today, she wrote:  “Now, I know this topic is heavy with all sorts of emotion, but no matter where you are with it, this is a safe, humble, kind, and informative conversation that was super helpful to me, and I know it will be to you too. So, listen with openness and humility and tell your pride that it’s not welcome to participate in this conversation!”  I listened to the podcast. Confirmation on loving others was evident.

Listen Here.

The conversation was very relevant to our times today…racism. I believe that, yes, while we all need to be informed and educated, we all need to LOVE LIKE JESUS.  If we are to “be perfect”, that means we are to love like Jesus does.  It doesn’t matter what color we are, political side we choose, social or economic status we are in, sporty or non-sporty, north or south, size or shape (you get the point)…we are to LOVE LIKE JESUS. That is how we strive for perfection on earth, by trying to be more like Christ.

The Message translation cracks me up sometimes.  In these verses we are told to “grow up”.  WE are to not allow others to bring out the worst in us, but the best.  Don’t be selfish, but selfless.  Be moved to pray.  You are a child of God, so act like it.

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”  Matthew 5:43,48 MSG

Now, I’ve got to go take care of that stain mark on my photo frame.

Have a beautiful day, and I pray that you will strive to follow and be like The Perfect One.

Blessings to you and yours,

Stephanie

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