THE POWER OF A LOVING HEART
A woman named Anna had opened a nursery for orphans in Stockholm, Sweden.
Among the children was a boy named Johan. His heart was full of anger and bitterness. No matter how much kindness Anna showed him, he never smiled.
He would spit in her face, throw toys at her, and curse with words no child should know.
He lashed out at everyone around him.
Anna knelt down and prayed to God to handle Johan
And right then, Jesus spoke to her heart:
"My dear child, I've loved you and carried you for over 50 years. Can't you love this child for My sake?"
The love of Jesus flooded her heart like a wave of warmth. She then walked over to Johan and kissed him on the cheek.
For the first time, Johan looked up at her-and smiled.
Then, he wrapped his arms around her neck and held her close.
From that day on, he was different. The angry, unkind child became very loving.
What once felt like an unbearable burden became a constant joy in her life.
The love she had received from Jesus had flowed through her to that little boy -and it changed them both.
Anna's desperate prayer was answered showing that when we surrender, God gives us wisdom and strength instead of just removing the difficulty. His tender voice reminded Anna that His enduring love had already carried her for fifty years, pouring the depth of that unwavering patience into her heart to face this one hurting child.
By asking her to love Johan "for My sake," Jesus called her to the highest command—to love as He loved (John 15:12). This transformed her draining effort into an act of worship. Immediately, the Holy Spirit poured God's unconditional love into her heart, enabling her to act kindly toward the boy. This divine love broke Johan’s bitterness, confirming that true, lasting change comes when we allow Christ's limitless affection to flow through us.
The story serves as a profound example that our greatest victories in life and service often happen when we stop relying on our own strength and allow the unlimited, transforming love of Jesus to work through us. It not only changes the person we are serving but also blesses us with joy.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU