The novelties of one generation are only the resuscitated fashions of the generation before last.
- George Bernard Shaw
Make it Wild
“If I’d observed all the rules, I’d never have got anywhere.”
- Marilyn Monroe
Today do something different. Dare to step out of the box. Wear white pants, show some shoulder, jump in a puddle, eat some fatty ice cream, get a goldfish, go to the zoo, give a homeless person your lunch, buy yourself a balloon, wink at an attractive man/woman, talk to strangers. Whatever you do, Make It Wild!
Learn to Recieve
35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Acts 20:35
“It is more blessed to give than receive”. I’ve lived much of my life according to these words. Homeless people in the streets, underprivileged children and of course my church’s building fund have benefited from my belief in this statement. HOWEVER I have also realized that many privileged people as well have benefited from my commitment to giving (both mentally and physically). This explains why I woke up one morning feeling empty and bereft of any joyful feelings toward the people in my life.
Always giving and Never receiving leads to feelings of resentment and eventually anger towards other people (and of course they will never notice that anything is wrong). Are you always that person people go to for advice, to dump their negative feelings on, in times of loneliness, when they need something etc? Great! But ask yourself when is the last time you filled your cup?
It is MORE blessed to give than receive…but it is still blessed to receive.
Just around the corner in every woman’s mind - is a lovely dress, a wonderful suit, or entire costume which will make an enchanting new creature of her.
~Wilhela Cushman
Watch
Love is ALWAYS in style.
Killing Myself With Kindness
“…If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”Romans 12:20
Have you ever encountered a person in your life who just does NOT like you? You don’t know why and no matter how nice you are they do not budge? Well I’ve been dealing with someone like that for some time. I will call this person “Grr”. As a naturally friendly person I’ve struggled to understand why Grr has always been unfriendly and standoffish towards me. In response to Grr’s behavior towards me, I’ve noticed myself bending over backwards to get a kind word or smile from this individual. Constantly complementing outfits, being overly smiley, and essentially doing everything to wave a white flag of peace has resulted in the following:
NILCH.
Hmm… kill them with kindness or am I killing myself with kindness? Im getting to the place where I wouldn’t mind pushing Grr down the stairs because I resent the constant rejection of my efforts towards friendly interaction (or simply an acknowledgement of my presence). However as I read Romans, I have to trust and have faith that for every kind word that is ignored, God is working on His end to heap coals on “Grr”s head. Maybe its not so much about me and her reception of me but more about what God wants to use me to accomplish….
“.. its not so much about the shoes, but the person wearing them”
― Adriana Trigiani
Something Old, Nothing New
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10-11;19
Have you found that the things that used to satisfy you are no longer enough? New clothes need to be newer, heels need to be higher and lashes need to be longer. Solomon warns us about loving money and possessions. Take a look around you- what good are all the items you own? “what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?”
As we enter the fifth month of this year, I challenge you to stay away from the “love of money” and DON’T buy any new items (except groceries and basic necessities). Allow God to increase your joy in the things you already own.
Grow Down
Last night I was feeling…some way. Was it sad, frustrated, upset? I don’t know- it was just some way. Have you ever been in that mental state where suddenly things just aren’t right? Well I has there. I prayed to God and told Him “listen I don’t even know what to ask for right now- I know I’m just not happy”.
Eventually I decided to list some things in an old notebook and found something written by one of the Sunday school kids at my dads church. How it ended up there I don’t know, but I know it was God’s response to my prayer (I will keep the spelling and grammatical errors to preserve the integrity of his writing):
“God tells us that whenever we are afraid, lonley, or sad we should just pray and he will make us happy. Some times if we be very very good God will give you something special. When you are lost you may be found by God. Thank you God.”
Need I paraphrase what he young boy wrote? Nevertheless, this taught me the truth of the words in Matthew 2-4:
“And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Today lets try to be like children with God. From the smallest of issues to the most heart breaking circumstances “just pray” and believe that “he will make us happy”. Remember “when you are lost you may be found by God.”
