Hey Friend,
Have you ever had one of those weeks, or months or even years when you sense that God is really trying to get his point across? Sometimes, when it comes to hearing God's voice, I feel like I fall into the remedial category. Fortunately my God is a God of grace, mercy and extreme patience. If I don't "get it" the first time, He'll bring it around again for a second and third time.
This week, by the third go 'round, I got the message. I needed an attitude adjustment. God did not slap me up side the head with the frying pan of condemnation; no He lovingly brought my attention to something that needed fixing, gently turned me around and set my feet on a new course. He even used humor to help his message sink in.
Round 1 - "Have to"..."Get to": My cyber sister-in-Christ and fellow blogger, Crystal Stine (www.crystalstine.me) wrote a wonderful post on the (in)courage blog (www.incourage.me). In it she encouraged us to look at the things we do in any given day, week, month, and decide if they are things we "have to" do or things we "get to" do?
Hey this one was easy...this week, for the third time I have to sprinkle flea powder - yes that's right; this week was the plague of the fleas - all over the carpets and vacuum the house from top to bottom. I have to wash all bedspreads, linens, throw rugs, towels, etc. in a hot wash and dry cycle. I have to bathe two dogs who hate baths with flea shampoo and comb them with the evil flea comb. I have to do this!!
Things you get to do are things like go out to lunch, read a book, take a nap, get a pedicure.
Really? What about this home that God has blessed me with? Yes, the flea house. Does it keep me warm in the winter and cool in the summer? Has it provided safety and shelter for my family? Is it a happy, cheerful place to be - to eat together, play together, do life together?
Is it possible that I "get to" clean and take care of this blessing that God has trusted to my stewardship? Hmmm....
"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all." (1 Chronicles 29:11-13)
Round 2 - "Here I am!" or "There you are!": I guess I am an extrovert of sorts. When I go to business functions with my husband, I know how to comfortably work the room with conversation. I usually engage people by asking them questions about themselves. But, this week I had lunch with a good friend and it was like I couldn't wait to vomit all my troubles right there in front of her. My soul yearned to scream "Here I am!" One look in her tear filled eyes and I realized my pride. She, desperately needed for me to say FIRST, "There you are!"
This was my second reminder that I was in need of some attitude adjustments. Thank you Robin Dance - also an (in)courage writer.
Pride does indeed go before the fall...
Round 3 - "Get Laughs" or "Give Laughs" (gift)
Last night I had the pleasure of going to see Michael Jr. (a very famous comedian) perform at my church. Michael Jr. has appeared on the Jay Leno show and has appeared at all the top comedy clubs. The thing, however, that makes him different is that he is a Christian comedian. His shows are family friendly and he often ends his show with a presentation of the gospel. I encourage you to check him out on YouTube.
Anyway, he talked about how, in the comedy business, comedians are always trying to get laughs. After all, that's what it's all about, right? Not really. Michael Jr. said that his comedy took a drastic turn and his popularity soared when be began to look at his comedic talent as a gift from God and that God was calling him to give laughs as his gift to others.
In my own little world was I more caught up in getting than in giving?
Hmmmm.....
Did I need to get attention, affirmation, acceptance, love? Or did I need to concentrate on giving them? Food for thought...
"In everything I did, I showed you that it is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)
How many times have I read/heard that verse? Today, however, it was jumping off the page at me. I definitely needed an attitude adjustment.
Again, God in His goodness did not heap condemnation upon me, but gently, firmly got my attention.
Our God does not force His ways upon us, but instead persistently knocks at the door of our hearts.
God, ever so patiently, brought the message to me three different times this week that I needed an attitude adjustment. I thought to myself, how many times have I told my children, "I said it once...I'm not going to say it again!"
God says it once, twice and again as many times as it takes until we get the message.
What kind of crazy love is this?? We can't even fathom it because we, as humans, don't have that degree of patience. How thankful I am that I have a God who has patience, love, mercy and grace beyond my wildest imagination. Even when we need correction, God does it in a loving way.
Are you in need of an attitude adjustment? Has God been trying to get a message across to you in a variety of ways? Have you been too busy to hear a message, meant for your own good, that He is trying to get across? My prayer is that you would be open to His wise, yet gentle guidance. Listen for His still small voice and be blessed...
In His love,
Bev
Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! As a way of saying thank you to all my faithful readers/subscribers, I will have a drawing at the end of the month for DaySpring giveaways and Starbucks gift cards. If you want to be sure to get my weekly posts, I hope you'll go to "Subscribe" and join our Walking Well family!! You will also be entered in a drawing for a chance to win!!
Redeemer Christian School: We are meeting in our new location in Pakistan. RCS is addressing some of the same issues that the recent Nobel Peace Prize winner from Pakistan has been championing...we need to put an end to child labor and human trafficking. Furthermore, these children need to hear of Jesus' love for them. Will you please keep us in your prayers!!
