Stop!

Last Sunday our pastor had a great message at church.  It revolved around this passage:

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

My favorite part was the beginning, where he focuses on the "therefore, as God's chose people, holy and dearly loved..."  He said that the "therefore" was a pause, a transition, a time to stop and consider what's next.  It reminds me of when Madeline, Millie and I are on walks.  Every so often, Madeline will stop and rest and say, "Stop, Mom!  Take a deep breath!"  We will then stop and breathe in the fresh air.  Then we look at each other and giggle and move on.  

Pastor Kevin said God is telling us to stop and know that he has chose us {we are holy} and DEARLY LOVED.  Loved by God, the perfect father.  Now that's enough to make you want to stop and breathe it in.  :)