Tag Archive | concern

Love in the Storm

Jun1

Philippians 2:4 – Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (HCSB)

Proverbs 16:24 – Pleasant words are a honeycomb sweet to the taste and health to the body (HCSB)

 

Recently, I was staying with my grandchildren while their parents were out of town.  They only live about two blocks from their school, so we had planned to walk every morning and afternoon.  One morning it was drizzly and misty, but we discussed it and decided it was nothing we couldn’t handle.  I grabbed a travel mug girlanddogof coffee, put the leash on the puppy, passed out umbrellas, and off we went!  We were talking and singing and just having a great time until we got right in front of the school and the clouds opened up!!!  It was as if someone had flipped a switch. “Pouring” doesn’t really begin to describe the rainfall. At this exact moment in time, in the worse than pouring rain, with teachers and parents and students crowding the schoolyard — the puppy decides it’s potty time!!!  I was overcome with various emotions — worried about my grandchildren, embarrassed about the puppy, totally helpless in a situation that had seemed so controllable at the beginning.  I told that story to four different people – two family members, one close friend, and one recent acquaintance. One family member asked only about the children. The close friend and the other family member asked about both the children and the puppy. Only the recent acquaintance showed concern for me.  She expressed sympathy for the chaotic moment in front of the school and also for me having to walk back home in the storm.  I started to think how much that situation is like life in general. We think there may be a little trouble ahead, but it’s nothing WE can’t handle. Then comes the storm!  And while we are enduring the storm, thinking it’s the worst that can happen, something comes along to prove us wrong — and of course there always seems to be an audience!  For sympathy and comfort we turn to our families. We can come away from our birth family feeling inadequate.  We may come away from our church family feeling judged. But, then sympathy and comfort come to us from an unexpected source.  A simple “How are YOU?” can make such a difference in someone’s life. Sarah Fielding said “The words of kindness are more healing to a drooping heart that balm or honey.” Lord, help me to remember that showing interest and using kind words can be a great gift and a soothing balm in someone’s life. Storms will come. Embarrassing moments will come. But, help me to show Your love through my love and be a living example of John 13:35 (By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” HCSB).

Gossip or Prayer?

Jan14

Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV)

James 4:12: There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? (HCB)

As I was drinking my coffee this morning, I was wandering around different postings on an Internet site.  I came across a post that said, “We don’t refer to it as gossiping, we simply consider it sharing our opinions about other people’s life choices”.  It was meant to be humorous, and I chuckled and moved on.  Later I started thinking about that quote and how true it is in my life.  How many times have I shared my opinion about another person’s life choices when I thought they had made the wrong choice? How many times have I shared some information about someone but dressed it in finery by calling it a prayer request?  How many times have I justified gossip by telling myself of the importance of letting people know the details of what I heard so we can pray informed (or ill informed) prayers?  Am I hiding a tiny spark of glee behind my mask of concern as I ask for prayer? How many times have I laughed at the old joke “if you can’t say something nice about someone, come sit by me”, but then made that joke a major part of my behavior on a daily basis?  How many times have I judged someone’s actions without knowing the whole situation?  How careful have I been to “share” only with others who would agree with me on the issue?   Was I really concerned with building people up and meeting their needs or more interested in character assassination?  When I labeled something as a  “wrong choice “, was it wrong because it was a choice You didn’t agree with or wrong because it was a choice I didn’t agree with?  The first part of James 4:12 says there’s only one lawmaker and judge.  Even if I know the facts surrounding someone’s sin, why do I feel it is my job to reveal that sin?  James 4:12 goes on to ask “who are you to judge your neighbor?” James 4:12 in The Message Bible says when I behave that way, I am writing graffiti over your message.  Lord, I stand before You, humble and contrite.  I could try to explain myself with much stammering and stuttering, but we both know the answers to all of those questions. Lord, I ask that You help me control my sinful tongue and only speak to benefit those who listen.