Scrubbing Grout With A Really Bad Attitude

 

Do this in remembrance

               of Me.

          1 Corinthians 11.24

I remember once in the 80s,

scrubbing the grout of our white tile floor 

with a really bad attitude,

because people were coming

    and it had to be done.

Right in the midst of the drudgery,

I thought what if Jesus was coming.

Would you do that for Me?

Of course.

But what about remembering Jesus

   for those who were coming?

Not to earn their favor or love,

not because I have to,

     but I get to.

We may say, "I love you,"

  but doing something 

       shows it is real.

Whatever is before us today,

   may we remember Jesus

in all we do and say

and how we respond to others.

This verse is often used

       in Communion services.

In Hebrew, communion means

      to cleave or cling to,

recognizing an inseparable

            connection with God,

not just coming together

  but being together and tied tight.

Communion recognizes that.

So does the love of Jesus.

So does our love for others.

O LORD,

Change our hearts

    to not just show Your love

            in this broken world,

   but to actually love others

   in some way today.

Soften our hearts

          for those around us.

Let not a lack of forgiveness

          or bad attitude 

   stand between us,

nor keep us from You.

Even in the hard stuff,

give us Your love

to do it in

        remembrance of You.

You didn't hesitate to love us.

May we love others the same.