During a recent Sunday School class discussion, there were comments on how to forgive those who wrong you or for whatever reason, you don't like or don't want to be around.
One comment has stayed with me and I would like to share it with you:
When there is someone that you need to forgive (for any reason), or just accept, imagine that Jesus is standing behind them and saying to you, "I love them".
This is a very interesting exercise and I have to admit it is working for me.
Amen
I was shopping with a friend one day when she sped up her car to keep me from handing a couple dollars to a man on side of the road with a sign asking for food money. She explained to me that so many people in the city, asking for financial help don't actually need it; they are con artist. I will admit she has a point. There are just such people out there taking advantage of the good spirit of many.
To prove a point, I went to Strong's Concordance and looked up the word "give". There are five pages of verses with the word "give" quoted. That does not even include "giver", "given" or "giving". Of course, there are more verses about what God gives to us than those commanding us to give. However, if God can give us so much, shouldn't we pass along to others?
Here are a few of those verses:
Gen 14:20- Then Abraham GAVE Melchizedek a tenth of everything
Pro 25:21 - If your enemy is hungry, give him food
Mt 10:8 - freely you have received, freely give
Mk 6:37 - Give them something to eat
Mk 10:21 - Give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven
Mk 12:17 - Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's
Lk 6:30 - Give to everyone who asks of you
Lk 11:9 - Ask and it will be given you
Acts 3:6 - Peter offered all he had
Ro 12:20 - If your enemy is thirsty, give him something to drink
Jms 2:16 - Help with physical needs
Jms 1:27 (My personal favorite) Pure religion is caring for widows and orphans
Although we need to discern in our giving (that's just being responsible with what we have), nowhere are we told to question who we give to or what they will do with what we give. We are merely told to give to others, especially if they ask of us.
With some American Indian blood running through my veins, I am reminded of a teaching from my youth that says: When you have a successful hunt, you are to share with anyone who asks. During the days when I was returning from a successful art show, I remember many times there were people with signs, asking for help. In Iowa, I was approached in a parking garage for food for a hungry family. Stopping for gas on I-70, I was asked for a donation for cleaning my windshield. I laughed to myself as I drove off with a windshield dirtier than when the man started.
In Ohio, I was looking for a place to have breakfast and called to a man, on the corner,
with a sign to join me. It was a fascinating meal, listening to him
talk about high school and his family. The waitresses all knew him. It
seems he frequented this particular corner. He ate breakfast and
ordered lunch to go.
Times when I was not asked: There was the faces of three boys in a dollar store who were short some change to pay for a couple trinkets, when I made up the difference. Or the Indian boys, in Oklahoma, who had only pennies for ice cream that cost more than a dollar. They were amazed to get help for the sweet treat.
I remember a woman in a diner in South Dakota trying to get attention to be seated and being ignored. She was not dirty, just an old Indian woman, with a couple dollars for pie and coffee. I sat her down with me and demanded a menu for her. It was enlightening to listen to her talk about her life on the reservation and where she lived now. She had ordered a four course meal with lots of coffee, boxed up everything she could not finish, along with desert, and asked for quarters to do her laundry. I wrote her name in my Bible so to never forget and still pray for that poor unfortunate.
This text is not written to brag but to show an example, ITim 4:12. Many, many people do so much more than my occasional small treats. My point is that we do not have to give huge amounts to impact someone. And, I was rewarded by being so well entertained. People have stories we are not aware of. It takes our mind off ourselves for a few minutes and reminds us that others also suffer and so often more than we do. I need to help others to keep myself humble.
Amen
Yeah, my story has a great ending.
Looking back over my life, I can see how blessed I am. All the trials have made me who I am today. Perfect? No! But, I have learned, matured, grown spiritually, come into a personal relationship with God and am so grateful for all of it.
God did not do any of the bad things. People were given free choice from the time of Adam and Eve. My parents made choices and I made my choices in response to their actions. It is obvious that I made poor choices - one after another for many years. And, look how it just spiraled to that turning point with the loaded gun.
God does not do bad God is total, complete love. As a good father, He created us and knows what we need and want better than we do. It's not easy to trust a spiritual being when everything we relate to is physical. Faith and belief are not easy in this world. It takes a desire and a lot of practice - a lot of trial and error. Not to worry, the blood of Jesus covers the believer's mistakes. You get a "do over" - every time! Keep doing it over until you get it right. It starts with your first step. Jesus does not push; He waits. You have to take the first step in faith and practice belief. Here is another easy part: if you need faith, just ask for it. That first step is submission by getting on you knees and asking for everything you lack. The father's love makes it easy.
The enemy knows where we are most vulnerable. He knows every weak spot. He prowls the earth like a hungry lion searching for who he can devour. Constantly in our head whispering everything negative and telling us we are not worthy; prodding us to do and be everything Jesus is not.
God turns bad to good:
Because my father left, I got to know an amazing grandfather.
Because of the sexual abuse, I learned to cherish physical relationship as the ultimate expression of love within the privacy of marriage.
Because I was betrayed by a close friend, I know how to be a friend.
Because of the molestings, I am cautious and aware of my surroundings.
Because of poor choices in husbands, I learned to let God have His way.
Because I lost children, I have a passion for them.
Because of many trials, I was blessed with amazing friendships for support.
Because of a restless spirit, I have traveled all over this country, been places, seen things and met all sorts of people.
Because . . . because . . . because . . . get it?
My husband and I are not wealthy but we have everything we need; what a great blessing. Sometimes, I feel downright rich.
Note: We have learned that any time we get a financial windfall (like a bonus at work or I sell art I was not offering), to hold on to it for awhile before we spend it. Many times, a reason for the money comes shortly after we receive it. So many times, God has provided BEFORE the need. What a blessing to be able to ask our Heavenly Father for advice in every part of our daily lives. When the answer is immediate or obvious, our faith gets a boost. Fear fades and confidence grows.
As we mature in our relationship with Jesus, we have learned how to be grateful and show daily praise. We are making Him the center of our married lives. He shows us His amazing love and understanding time and again. Our lives have become miracles.
Amen
