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Grits

This past Saturday I got the chance to catch up with my friend at breakfast. We connected months ago over grits, of all things. I learned he really didn't care for grits. Turns out his parents used to make him eat them quite often and in many forms. As he has grown older he's made the conscious decision, he's had enough grits for a lifetime.

On the other hand, I really enjoy grits. They are a wonderful breakfast food with butter, salt, and pepper. For dinner, you can't beat some good shrimp and grits. I have a recipe for jambalaya grits that will put a smile on anyone's face. It is like jambalaya meets cheese grits. Yum!

My friend and I joke about grits everytime we see each other. I offer him some and he politely refuses. Of course, I respect his wishes and don't give him any grits.

How do you offer someone grits? Do you insist they eat and like them because you eat them? Do you put them on their plate anyway? Do you treat them differently because they don't like grits? Of course not!

Did you ever think we are more polite when we offer grits than we are when we share Jesus? Consider how we may come across to people who don't share our faith. They aren't followers of Jesus; they didn't sign up to live the way followers choose to live. I'm not sure about you, but I have witnessed a non-believer feeling scorned or judged by a Christian. Almost as if they were offered grits, declined them, and kicked out of the restaurant for their refusal. 

When we share Jesus do we force non-believers to eat grits even if they didn't order grits? Do we open their mouths and shove grits down their throats? I can't imagine anyone would like that.

Instead I suggest we are to simply love. We don't force them to eat grits. We don't shove Jesus down their throats. We do our job, LOVE. Let the Holy Spirit get them into a place where they are curious about grits. One day they decide to take a try. Maybe God will use you to give their first spoonful! 

We all know, once they've had some good grits, they will never be able to get enough. Once they've felt the love of Jesus, they will never be able to get enough.

Don't force feed grits. People don't like that and it's not our job anyway. 

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." - 1 John 4:11 NIV

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:8 NIV

Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt 


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