I did a bad thing the other day. I thought the quickest way to the Family Dollar store was traveling around the back side of the hospital. The problem was I didn't realize that the alley was one way. I made an executive decision to carefully go the wrong way. I was lucky and didn't have an accident. I decided that I would go the correct way the next time!
We only have one chance in this life -- there is no "next time"! I admit that it is not always easy. The choices are not always clear cut. We have our guide book -- The Bible. Follow the basics that we learn from it. Remember it is not the exhaustive guide to God. There are so many things we will never know or understand! There is only one way. Do you know Jesus today?
Lord, thank you for providing a way to you -- your beloved Son Jesus.
Simply Saturday
Value
Once again, I had no idea what to write about this week until I took a deep breath and prayed. I am writing about value.
One of the cutest stories I ever heard was about a friend and some ice. After a big party, a buddy was emptying bags of ice onto the lawn. He didn't have room to store the ice in his freezer. Another friend exclaimed: "You can't throw that out! That's store-bought ice!" OMG! We laughed and laughed about that! The ice had much more value to him that it did us because people bought it at the store! I had a few experiences recently about value - about valuing people. Here is what I learned.
First, there is the case about me not valuing some people the way I should. I learned about two very special people in my life -- my mother and a close friend. Spending time with my sick mother this week opened my eyes to some things. After watching her have a medical emergency Sunday afternoon, I told my sister "I never thought would react this way". I realized I hadn't really valued my mother the way I should. I learned Tuesday night that I picked up a "thing" from her and never realized it before. She gives friends and family nicknames. I do the same thing! The other example was a text I received from a close friend or to be more accurate, someone I used to be close to. I said some things to him this Spring that I shouldn't have said, partly because I didn't value his friendship enough. I will never make that mistake again if I get another chance to be his friend.
Second, I finally figured out some of my feelings from an unpleasant experience this summer. The feelings were not being valued! It is amazing that God brought these two concepts together this week after what I have been praying about the past few months. I know I have forgiven the folks that did not value me even though I couldn't really put it into words. The feelings I had reinforced the things God taught me about valuing people. It sucks not being valued!
I hope all of this makes sense. It goes hand in hand with what I have heard called gratitude therapy. Be thankful. Value people and not things. Have a great weekend! Go Bucks!
************************************
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13
No comments:
Post a Comment