Sometimes I wonder if I have a sign on my forehead that says 'I am a good listener'! It is not unusual for people, including strangers, to talk to me. Yesterday morning I had an encounter with a lady in the restroom at the hospital. My 'Good morning...how are you?' had a long answer of how she was doing. I thought about how many times we say those words and perhaps don't really mean them. They are common words spoken without thought. I know for myself there are times when someone asks me how I am doing, I use the common answer of 'fine' or 'ok' instead of getting into details. But there are also times when I will tell someone how I truly feel when asked. When someone opens up to me, I hope I follow God's lead by what He desires of me. Yesterday I wondered if I should pray with the lady but did not feel prompted to do so. Sometimes the Holy Spirit does prompt me and I am blessed when I walk in obedience to Him. There are so many hurting people in this world. I am blessed when God puts one in my path to love on with His love. I was reminded yesterday that we don't have to like everyone but we do need to love everyone with His love. God loves everyone and we need to follow His example. His love is for all not just a select few. His grace and mercy are available to all who will accept it not just some. I will admit I would much rather be around positive, upbeat people than to be around negative ones but I must remember God loves the negative ones too. I believe He puts negative people in our path for a few reasons. One is for us to love them. Secondly, He puts them in our path so we will see how not to be. Thirdly, they are put there to challenge us to be the people He has called us to be. Will we cave to being negative ourselves or will we stand firm in our faith and allow Him to work in and through us? Will we give into the enemy or not? As I start another day I pray for His strength to be the godly woman He has put me on this earth to be. I pray when opportunities come before me to love people I will embrace them. The desire of my heart is to make Him proud of me. I know I mess up at times but that is no surprise to Him. I know I miss opportunities put before me but once again that is no surprise to Him. I know He loves me and that is all that matters. When I feel down, He is there encouraging me which I am very grateful for. He encourages me through people, nature, music, Scripture, etc. Barnabas wes a great encouragement to Paul and others in the Bible. His purpose in life was to encourage people. We need to follow His example. Instead of tearing people down with our words we need to speak life over them. When we see people going through tough times, we need to ask God how we can encourage them. The more we focus on others the less we will think about our own struggles. I am reminded this morning of a older song Point of Grace sings called "That's The Way It's Meant To Be"...
Every single heart needs a home
Everybody needs a touch of human kindness
It's no wonder we feel alone
'cause all in all we need each othercDear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead today! Thank You for the opportunities You gave me to love on people with Your love! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May people see/hear You through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I praise You for Baby Riley getting released from the hospital! I continue to pray for many going through difficult days. Andy and his family with Katelyn's situation; Kaye and her family; Rachael; my Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab who needs strength in his daily walk; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; Amber; Ashley Foor; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many who are dealing with 'c' and/or going through treatments...Katelyn; Chrissy's cousin; Shirley Jones; Cait's friend with leukemia; my pastor friend with daily chemo; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer; a lady diagnosed with throat cancer; Sue Danhoff's husband Harv; Michele with breast cancer; Susan; and a dear friend awaiting an oncologist appointment. I pray for: the Long Family, Becky, Russ, a couple contemplating divorce and another couple having serious issues. Thank You for continued healing for: Pastor Tommy and Pam; Darryle and his family; and Janis' mother, I praise You for continued reconciliation for a father and his prodigal daughter. I pray for Melinda and Todd with all they are going through. Thank You for being My Encourager! Amen.
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