Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (The Message)
This passage of Scripture is for me. This entry is to serve as a reminder for me of a stinging lesson I learned this weekend. I volunteered to do something as an act of service to another. I had the right attitude going in, but it soured quickly. I could offer a few excuses that would sound legitimate, but the truth is I was just feeling selfish. Once I was involved and it was too late to back out, I found myself wanting to do what I wanted to do, instead of serving. As a result of my poor attitude I think I missed a blessing!
I didn't vocalize my grumbling or complaining, but allowed it to eat me up inside. Then, I caught myself and my negative feelings were quickly replaced by guilt and shame. Yuck!
I am generally a cheerful giver, but not today! I was a grumpy, half-hearted giver...and I don't like the way that feels!
Maybe some of you can identify. The truth is, I just needed to write this down to solidify the lesson.
Lord, help make me a cheerful giver. Make grace abound so that I am not only equipped to do Your work (2 Corinthians 9:8), but so that I may do this work with real, true love like Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13! I am reminded again how pitiful my offering is when it comes from my flesh, rather than from Your empowering.
I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. (Romans 12:3 The Message)
5 comments:
I've so been there in the past and missed blessings as well. Thanks for sharing with such vulnerability what God is teaching you. He uses it for His good and we learn right along with you.
On His Adventure~
Thank you for your honesty. It's a lesson for all of us. I only wish I was good at "not verbalizing" the grumbling, like you are. At least it'd be 1/2 way there. =)
What a great lesson and something I REALLY needed to hear this week! Thanks for sharing and always being real! Love your blog!
Amy
I don't have the pleasure of sharing my days with little ones. My daughters are grown and my grandchildren are no longer little ones. I visit your blog as I enjoy reading what the awesome threesome are up to but I always come away with so much more. I learn new things, look at others in a different light, grow stronger in my love of God. Thank you for teaching this old grandma new "tricks".
I have appreciated your blog for a while now, can't remember how I found it, and am just now getting around to commenting. You have a beautiful way of expressing the truths that you are learning and of sharing REAL life as a Christian. I can especially relate to these last 2 posts and have much respect for your decision to share your heart on these topics. God's light shines through you!
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