LIVE GENEROUSLY

Good morning, world! Today is confession day.  I need to confess a serious condition I have.  I selfishly think what I am doing or I want to do is more important than anything else in the whole, wide world!  And if you or your situation enters into my space, you may hear my wrath!


Yes, I just this morning became the monster of the deep, once again.  A terrible habit has finally announced itself as..(groan) sin!  Yes, that's what I said, sin.


In the MESSAGE version of the Bible, Luke 6:32, it reads as follows: "If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life.  No more tit-for-tat stuff.  Live generously." 


I have a hard time being generous under certain circumstances. This morning was one of those times.


I was just about ready to sit down, open up my journal, check which Bible chapters I was to study when  Max, our over-sized Pomeranian, began to whimper.  He had just been fed, so I assumed he wanted to go outside.  At the same moment, my very good, dear Jerry wanted some help on a computer snag which I thought was already addressed.  I let the dog out and at the same time began to re- re-address the computer problem.  Max then wanted to come in out of the still bitter cold, and as I was wiping his feet dry from the snow, I was trying to re-re-re-address this computer thing, but I WAS YELLING! Tit-for-Tat and then some!


I did not live generously this morning.  And of course when I began to read the chapter in the Word, I immediately knew I ..was....going..to..have..to...admit..it..to.... you.  And now I have.


I even read the wrong day's lesson, and yet it was just the one I needed to read  It's a funny thing about God, He really knows where the right words are for  particular moments in my life.


Why is it so hard to live generously when I think someone's taking advantage of me?  Why do I think my "stuff" is more important than others' stuff?  How wonderful it would be to live generously, to stop assuming  my own importance and give time and thought to the important moments of others.


Boy, do I need prayer!


Lord Jesus, help me to stop thinking of myself when others' needs arise.  Help me to concentrate on the needs of others.  I hope it's not too late for me to learn this.  I seem to be a dodo when learning new things. And self-importance is such a big, bad thing.  Forgive me, Lord.  And help me to grow more like you in thinking first of others.


Thank you, Lord, and  thank you for your mercy!


MN Jo, saying "Thanks for listening, world".  And forever in your debt, Lord!