Day 16: Love That Protects

Scripture: Psalm 91:4 - "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

Reflection: God’s love provides protection and refuge in times of trouble.

Application: Offer protection and support to someone in need today.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your protective love. Help me to be a source of refuge and support to others. Amen.

Imagine you’re playing a game of soccer. Without boundaries, it's not just chaotic; it’s outright dangerous. The lines on the field help everyone know where to play, making the game enjoyable and fair. Similarly, in relationships, boundaries help us understand where we end, and others begin. They allow us to respect and protect our space and to respect and honor the space of others. It’s about knowing when to say yes and how to say no and doing both in love.

Now, this balance between grace and truth in our interactions is the real game-changer. It’s easy to think of grace as simply letting things slide. But real grace is much more robust; it involves being kind yet honest, gentle yet straightforward. For instance, when a friend is making choices that you know are harmful, grace doesn’t mean staying silent. It means speaking the truth but doing it in such a way that it’s clear you’re for them, not against them. It's like saying, "I love you too much to watch you hurt yourself." This is grace and truth in action, working hand in hand. It's not grace versus truth; it's grace and truth, dancing in perfect sync.