Saturday, May 26, 2012

What You Leave Behind

This morning I was at my kitchen sink finishing up a weeks worth of cleaning. I stood looking out the window, past the trees in my front yard to the roadway below.  After a few seconds, I noticed a car stop abruptly beside of my garbage can.  A man quickly jumped out and reached for an old, broken shower door I had hauled to the roadway this week. I watched as he inspected the metal frame then proceeded to stomp out all of the glass in order to take with him his small treasure of scrap metal. I can only assume he was planning on cashing it in for a little money.

On the ground is now this pretty prism of sharp glass shards of all sizes.... sharp, broken pieces of glass left in an area of my yard where neighborhood children frequently play and wait for the school bus.  My roadside visitor stopped briefly intent on finding and gaining his treasure, then scurried away leaving someone else to clean up a dangerous mess.

In all of my dealings, whether personal or professional, there is always something I leave behind....we all do. An impression, a legacy, a thought... Today I wonder how many times I have taken some of life's treasures only to leave behind broken shards of glass upon which others coming after me may stumble or fall; causing pain or scars. How many scars do I hold in my heart caused by broken glass left behind by another?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

My God in Whom I place all trust, You are good and You give good gifts to the ones You love.  I know the fruits of  Your Spirit. As a branch coming from the vine of Your Spirit, constantly pruned by You, help me in all of my dealings to leave behind treasure just as precious as that which I may take. I love you.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

But I am Right

There are times when I know I am right.... but what does that matter with respect to eternity? Recently, I had a mechanic take advantage of me. He literally took my money then refused to fix my vehicle. So I am left with a broken car and without the money to fix it. I was angry; I told God that I was. In all respects he stole this money and left me in a bind. I am already working two jobs and trying to pay for my Love's wedding band (I have just three weeks until the wedding).

God has given us an amazing gift. We have free will to make our own choices in life. We can make choices that are for our good and for the good of others; or, we can do just the opposite. This mechanic exercised his free will and chose to take advantage of someone less fortunate than he. He is also not a Christian.

Now, I have a choice to make. The Bible tells me this:

1 Corinthians 8:1 "...We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."

I have a choice. By making this choice I will effect the eternity of someone else. I can make life miserable for this mechanic by telling his employer; telling all who know him; or even taking him to small claims court. Or, I can be an example of Godly love and pray for this man.

Luke 6:28 "bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

My prayer is that this man will come to know Christ. I know I am in the right and I have options to regain what I have lost. I would be justified in that. But will proving and justifying myself make my life better? While it is true that I may get back the money I need to fix my car, What will it prove to this man? Will he see the love of God in me as I get my revenge?

In life, I see that people sometimes hurt others. The level of pain depends on the amount of importance the injustice is to the one hurt. I believe this man's soul is more important than my pride, my pain, and my car. So I choose to exert God's love for this man and to pray that he turns to God. I choose to build him up through prayer and petition.

God, give me Your love and Your strength to look past the pain inflicted on me by others. Help me to look at the lives of others in respect to eternity. Help me to build up others through Your love. I know that knowledge and wisdom are gifts from You; but so is salvation. Teach me how to turn the other cheek. Help me to pray for the salvation of others in Your holy name! I love You!


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Trust

An infant learns to rely on the hand that feeds them. In our reality we choose to believe that hand will be their mother...and it usually is. I am not an expert on babies... but I recently had the opportunity to watch a dear friend as she nurtured her baby boy born almost three months premature. At birth, his weight was 1 pound 9 ounces. His head was the size of a tennis ball. He was the most precious little thing I have ever seen. His chocolate skin was so smooth and I remember how shocked I was to see that his tiny hands, the size of a little toy doll's, had the smallest little fingernails on them. It was so sweet how gently my friend cared for him... and really amazing at how he was so comfortable with her touch. Almost as if he knew she meant him good and not harm.

I think babies are pretty smart. They know how to apply total trust in someone or something. Perhaps this is why Christ said we should become as little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 "And He said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

If you follow my writing, you see that my life has been turned upside down and wrongside out these past few years... I have learned to give up what I thought was control in my life and focus on placing all hope in the One in Whom hope NEVER dissappoints. Peace has settled on my heart with respect to my chaotic life.... And I am not afraid. He hears me; I trust in His ability to answer my prayers.


1 Chronicles 5:20"...He answered their prayers, because they trusted in Him."

Loving Father, help those who read this to trust in You... Your love never fails ~ Psalm 13:5 "For I trust in Your infailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation."


Baby Jayce's dedication at The Refuge Church ( www.therefuge.net )

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Forever

Just how long exactly will that be? The dictionary defines forever as an adverb meaning continually, for all time. My mind cannot fully grasp the concept; yet, the thought of forever gives me hope for my future.

In 1 Kings chapter 9, God the Father... the Mighty One of Israel, was having a conversation with Solomon the King. He told Solomon that He had heard his prayer.... and then in verse three, God said:

“I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. "

Always, continually, for all time.... His name will be on the temple forever... In the Old testament this was true for the temple built by Solomon unto the Lord God. In the New testament, this is true about a different kind of temple. One fashioned for the inhabitation of the Holy Spirit of a loving and Mighty God.

1 Corinthians 6:19 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own;"

As a child of God, formed in His image and carefully crafted, my body is a temple holy unto the Lord. When I accepted Him, He wrote His name on my heart forever. His promise to me is that His eyes and His heart will always dwell here. Invite Him in to stay forever. He will hear your prayer. Learn the difference that His eyes and His heart can make over the span of forever.

Hope manifested.