Good morning! Had to write you today, even though I don't expect to be writing here every day. It is a beautiful day in Minnesota with a light breeze and sunshine, with a high of 76 expected and a low of 58. We had a nice walk earlier with Max prancing beside us. We can't quite get a mile and 1/2 in without repeating some of the paths around our units, but a walk is a walk and Max doesn't care how long it takes. However, he's glad to get home and have his breakfast, as Jerry and I are, too. Life is pretty good here.
But, there have been some things about living in our little abode that have been a bit hard to accept and have been, I admit, rather stifling. We get a ton of traffic noise from the highway just going past our development, for one thing, and our upstairs neighbor who is a nice young woman just now going through a divorce, is practicing tap dancing, or some such, I think. So, I am having to practice acceptance, instead of becoming assertive.
Now, I know there are occasions when being assertive is important, but I don't think this is one of them. First, we bought this place sight unseen, so we cannot complain that the road noise comes into our open windows. Secondly, we could close our windows, but choose not to. And, to whom would I become assertive?
As far as the young divorcee is concerned, whatever she is practicing up there, she has every right to do so. It is not hurting me in any way, not even my ears. I can be assertive in prayer for her, but not for myself. But I am convinced that assertiveness is just about me and not about God, in this case.
I learned something about acceptance vs assertiveness from the Book of Luke, Chapter 9, Verse 48. Jesus is speaking and says, "Whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great
by accepting , not asserting. Your spirit, not your size makes the difference." (THE MESSAGE)
Well, I'm not looking to become great; I just want to get rid of some of the "self" I seem to carry around. And want a more loving spirit that will think first about others and not just about me, me, me.
Jesus did become great even when He wasn't looking for greatness because He accepted the role God selected for Him. He went forward to totally accept His death on the Cross without a fight. He didn't assert Himself in any way because it was not in Him to do so. HIs spirit was filled with love for God and love for the world. And that includes me!!
If I am to follow Jesus, I need to be on the same path as Jesus and remember it's not about me! Jesus didn't look for approval and neither should I. Situations that I run into, I hope, shall not find me so assertive and protective of myself. I pray I will show the love and acceptance that Jesus put within me for all occasions, tough or more tough. Difficulties come and go, but love is bound to stay forever.
If you are willing, say a prayer for me to do a better job of accepting difficulties. OK?
Dot, you are very close to my heart. You are such a good friend, and so is Richard. Bless you both!
Stay well, now, my friends, and thanks for letting me pour out my heart onto you today.
God is good....all the time. All the time...God is good.
Love from MN........Jo
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