Romans 15: 1-7
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Sometimes I feel that I am a giving person and other times I think I'm selfish. Part of this, I know, has to do with my history. Growing up an Army brat found me many times having to give up most of the toys I had each time I moved to a new place. I resented having to give up my toys even if they were ragged. They were mine and I wanted to keep them. After I was married, I found myself in a situation where we needed to save every dime we could get our hands on. My husband was concerned about our future and had vowed that we would never be in the position of having our appliances taken away like he sometimes had to do on his job.
As I grew in my Christian faith and of course found myself living a comfortable life with both my husband and I having good jobs, I gave money to those less fortunate as often as asked but still I don't think I ever went out of my way. That's why I sometimes think of myself as selfish. In my heart I know that God loves me, wants the best for me and will always provide for me, but still there is a nagging fear of losing everything.... all my worldly possessions I've worked so hard for. And, yes, I know that I should think more about heavenly treasures and not put so much value on worldly treasures. I know, I know.
On this Thankful Thursday I am thankful that God continues to work in my life molding me and making me the person He would have me be. I pray that I can consecrate my gifts to God whether they be time, talents or worldly possessions and give of those unselfishly so that the blessing He has given to me I can give to others. The movie "Pay it Forward" comes to mind this morning thinking about how each giving action we take can make a difference in someone's life no matter how small or large that gift might be.
Prayer:
Lord help me find ways to be a giving person without first being asked. I want to stay strong in You and do the things You would have me do. I want to receive Your blessings so I might be a blessing to others.
Callaway Gardens Wild Verbena - May 7, 2008
3 comments:
beautiful words this morning, phyllis....and you put into words what is on my heart so much....being useful in ways, using the gifts i have, to help others....
sometimes i think i expect a sign to drop down from Heaven telling me how to do this....when if i did a little research on my own....i'm sure there are more than enough places right here to give!
i keep waiting to have free time also....and with five daughters and 4 grandbabies.....that isn't going to happen...so i know i also need to MAKE the time.
thank you for your thoughts, and i hope you have a beautiful day,
hugs,
kimberly
I love the idea of Paying It Forward...I was truly touched by that movie, probably more so because it came from the heart of a child, but nevertheless, it is a concept worthy of attention. By nature I am a giver, for purely selfish reasons of course, because I like how it makes me feel, but there have been times when I have plotted greater schemes of goodwill and then not followed through with them...and nothing is achieved if it just sits in the mind. With the economy so bad and so many people losing their homes here in California I think it is an eye opener that sometimes material possessions have a way of seizing our true nature and making us a slave to the dollar...not that some material possessions aren't important, but I can think of many styles of living in which our humility might serve a greater purpose. In my own home we have never experienced too much discomfort from lack of money...I have had to make meals stretch and serve less desirable foods, but we have always had "enough" to get by, but we have both always had to work and so we have been blessed in that sense that we were able to do so. I don't know what the future holds, but I do believe God will provide and so I don't worry too much about it...I trust in that alone.
I love Romans by the way...a lot of good information to clutch on to.
I hope your day is blessed with all the things you like to do ~
hugs,
Joni
you know phyllis I once gave my last $20.00 in an offering plate at a church I attended with Larrys sister, and at first I doubted giving that much, but it was like something took my hand and made me put it there, and you know what?.... I did not have to do with out that week, and I may not give money to the homeless but I will go into a store if they are near one or a fast food place and buy them something to eat and pray over it, I tell my family that could be an angel God put on this earth to test me and other's, God is so good and he'll take care of his children, like a father does.
Hug's and lots of them
Annette
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