The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "To Heal a Broken Heart" for Wednesday, 1 February 2017 with Scripture 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "To Heal a Broken Heart" for Wednesday, 1 February 2017 with Scripture 1 Corinthians 13:1 I may speak in the tongues of men, even angels;
but if I lack love, I have become merely
blaring brass or a cymbal clanging.
2 I may have the gift of prophecy,
I may fathom all mysteries, know all things,
have all faith — enough to move mountains;
but if I lack love, I am nothing.
3 I may give away everything that I own,
I may even hand over my body to be burned;
but if I lack love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind, not jealous, not boastful,
5 not proud, rude or selfish, not easily angered,
and it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not gloat over other people’s sins
but takes its delight in the truth.
7 Love always bears up, always trusts,
always hopes, always endures.
8 Love never ends; but prophecies will pass,
tongues will cease, knowledge will pass.
9 For our knowledge is partial, and our prophecy partial;
10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass.
11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child,
thought like a child, argued like a child;
now that I have become a man,
I have finished with childish ways.
12 For now we see obscurely in a mirror,
but then it will be face to face.
Now I know partly; then I will know fully,
just as God has fully known me.
13 But for now, three things last —
trust, hope, love;
and the greatest of these is love.
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Paul wrote, “I will show you the most excellent way.”[1 Corinthians 12:31 (NIV)]
We have an old beagle named Shorty. He wandered onto our land seventeen years ago. He’d been abused, judging by the way he made a hasty retreat the moment any of us came close to him. Yet he became an instant friend to our dog, Ollie, and thus became a part of the family. It took him a long time, but bit by bit and pat by pat, he began to trust us.
Much has changed in the years since Shorty came our way. Now when anyone in the family calls his name, he comes running, long ears flopping and tail wagging. He rolls over for a belly pat, totally trusting his human family. Through our love, care, and quiet gentleness, Shorty has learned that he can trust his big, wonderful family.
Every now and then, folks a lot like Shorty come into our lives. They have been broken physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Trusting anyone is nearly impossible for them, but the family of God can begin their healing process. When we take the time to offer a safe place of love, trustworthiness, and grace for the brokenhearted, we can be a part of the miracle of restoration and redemption.
Read more from the author, here.
"More from B.J. Mathias"

Greetings from South Mississippi, friends.
I am excited to be a part of the blog. Though not very computer savvy, I am happy to share with you all as my devotion appears in your copy of The Upper Room.
Unfortunately, the postscript to my meditation bears sad news. Our beloved three-legged beagle, Shorty, passed away in November. And yet, as our family and friends grieve the loss of that sweet ol’ fella, we thank God that Shorty did not suffer. On the day that Shorty did not join our other pets, Sukey and Ripley, for breakfast, my husband searched and found him in the high grass beneath the grapevines. There was no apparent injury--no broken bones or lacerations, but just an old body that was worn out. Our guess is that as Shorty ran with his pals across the dam by the pond, which he loved to do and did nearly every day, his heart just wore out and stopped and he rolled to the bottom of the hill.
After Shorty's passing, there have been many tears shed from our youngest grandchild to the oldest grownup. But we are all so very thankful that one day many years ago that little ragamuffin beagle made his way to the hollow where we live and found safety and love, rich green grass, pals to run with, and a family too. This photo of Shorty sitting beneath the hickory tree in the flower bed is framed and sits on our piano where we can see his sweet face whenever we pass, and as we do we always remember what a difference love can make. Shorty is buried beneath the trees by the barn and his grave is often decorated with crosses, wild flowers, roses, and artwork from Lila and Lucy. He is still loved and always will be. I rejoice that we were able to share in Shorty’s journey and fill his life with good things for nearly two decades--what a blessing that has been.
Shalom,
B.J.

See a picture of Shorty, here.

The Author: Belinda Jo “B. J.” Mathias (Mississippi, USA)
Thought for the Day: Who in my life needs to hear words of hope and grace?
Prayer: Dear God, help us bring healing to those who are hurting, through your power and love in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Prayer focus: Animal shelters-------