Life's Little Frustrations

If you are grumpy, and I'm grumpy too,

Then I am acting just like you,

And that's a tempting thing to do.

We want to get even, and that's so true.

But I need to give you a big old smile

And lighten your load, whatever your trial.

Showing Kindness

Ephesians 4:32,  "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

I Thessalonians 5:15,  "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."

      One reason for exercising kindness and patience with others is the fact that we usually don't have a clue as to what is on their plates, no idea of the battles they are fighting.  Surely we would not want our behavior to be the final straw that pushes someone to the brink of despair.  And everybody can use a good dose of old fashioned encouragement at any time.

      I was in the check out line at the grocery store the other day, and the lady who was checking groceries chastised me for putting my purse on the conveyer belt although the belt was not turned on.  After the groceries had been processed, she fussed at me again in a very grumpy voice for laying my money on the conveyer belt while I was counting it out, saying,  "It's going to get caught under there!", and I snapped back, in a very grumpy voice, "How can it get caught?  The belt isn't even running?"  All of a sudden there were two grumpies. 

    And Grumpy Number Two--me--resolved then and there never to go through Grumpy Number One's check out line again!  So there!  What a human response.  My old sin nature had booted the Holy Spirit off the control center of my life and had taken over.

      Once I had confessed my poor response to God and asked the Holy Spirit to take control of my life again, I started wondering just what struggles that check out lady might be having.  I could have lightened her load a bit by patience, kindness, and a big smile.  I hope next time I won't miss the chance to lift someone else's spirits.

Father, may I treat everyone I meet this week, and always, with kindness, patience, and compassion.  Thank You for Your kindness, patience, and compassion for me.  Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

This age of technology is too complicated, I moan,

And then I watch a two-year-old scrolling on an I Phone!

And if you want to learn the way to operate a computer

You just need to get a kid to come and be your tutor!

Spiritual Battles

Ephesians 6:12,  "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

      Halloween is fast approaching.  Little children see it as a time to dress in costumes, go trick or treating, and gorge on the candy they have collected as long as it lasts.  Schools have viewed it as a possible way to raise money, and the Halloween Carnivals were the forerunners of the Fall Festivals that are popular today.  Some churches see it as a good time to have alternative entertainment and use it as an opportunity to present the gospel to those who attend their event.  But the scary costumes, the bizarre masks, and the macabre decorations should remind us that evil is not only present but prevalent in our world.  God hasn't called us to a tea party but to a battle.  He calls us soldiers and tells us to put on our armor for defense against our enemy.  We are to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and to use it as our offensive weapon.  As the time for Christ's return grows nearer, we can expect evil to grow more intense, and I definitely think we are seeing that happening today.  We are to stand firm in our faith, to hold our ground, and to fight a good fight.  Ephesians 6:13-14a exhorts us,  "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm, then."

Father, may we be true soldiers of the cross.  Empower us to stand firm against the tide of evil that is so prevalent in our society today.

Life's Little Frustrations

Sometimes the things you want to do

Come at the same time, and then you

Must make a choice between the two,

But which to choose--I wish I knew!