image taken from: http://weheartit.com/entry/8576627
tis morning, God speaks through devotion, do u hear wat i hear?
"A benefit of being a teacher, I know that Thanksgiving vacation is always an anticipated respite from the routine of waking early, grading papers, and planning lessons. What I hadn't planned for the impending disagreements that would arise from our two children being home in close quarters with extra time. No matter how much I tried to reason with them, they couldn't seem to agree on anything. They were focused on each other's faults, while denying their own. A glutton for punishment, I grounded them from media for several days. Much to my delight, the arguments waned and they suddenly remembered that they actually like each other.
As living sacrifices--set apart, transformed--believers in Jesus are to become living, breathing reflections of God's will (Romans 12:1-2). In the quietness of our devotional time with the Lord, this goal stirs our hearts. In the day to day of relationships, however, it can seem to be downright impossible.
As I deal with my children, I often hear the Lord speaking to me about my relationships with others. It takes two to fight (Proverbs 20:3). You can't choose how others act, but you can choose how you respond (Matthew 5:38-39). Be kind, whether it's deserved or not (Proverbs 31:26). Like my children, I can either trust the wisdom of the One who knows far more than I do or I can rely on my own perspectives (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Godly love doesn't come by finding perfect relationships; it comes when I first choose to deal with my own faults (Roman 12:9). Relational peace is not avoidance. It's a decision to act on the things for which I am responsible, while placing the things I cannot change in the hands of Jesus. I must trust a God for whom nothing is impossible. (Luke 1:37; Mark 9:23)."
~Regina Franklin
(Our daily journey)
No comments:
Post a Comment