ABCs addendum

11/9/11 Late posting---still mulling over some comments/responses from Wednesday's blog.
Said mulling took awhile and the original words I wrote listing more ABCs have now been set aside. Certain implications began to become clear through e-mail comments and discussions with others as we began to see the "self" agenda/focus (or ABCs) of our own lives. Interestingly enough, ideas that were first tossed around---All 'Bout C limbing, All 'Bout C arping, All 'Bout C hallenging, were about "others." More often than not, a relative. Hm-m-m why is a negative ABC so much easier to see in lives of other people???

All 'Bout C heap---my daughter labeled me with that one. I negated it by saying I was just frugal and that didn't start w/ "c" so that didn't count. Yet, with Molly's label, I realized that for those who know us best, their perceptions of irregularities of our own lives and our penchants for "self-serving" or rationalization can offer opportunity for spiritual growth---finding balance. I realized that whether I'm frugal or cheap, the nomenclature doesn't matter---it's the intent of my heart. Am I watching my $$ as a good steward of God-given resources? Or....am I showing a lack of trust in His on-going provision by padding my accounts, just in case? Is that an obstacle for the spiritual growth of my own children? More mulling began.

Then the biggie came to the surface. Too many of us were focusing on others. Negatively focusing. That was not the intent of the ABCs blog. The intent was for a little soul-searching for ourselves, not bashing others--- a reminder that the tenets our lives need to be All 'Bout C hrist. An e-mail from Margie Honor had me immediately seeing her as All 'Bout C ompassion! Christ was all about compassion, so her life would be one for me to emulate in that area. Mercy might not be my spiritual gift but it doesn't mean that I can't grow in that area. Look around for positve ABCs in others & commend them. Use their "glowing" ABCs to spur positive "growing" ABCs for yourself!

Are you seeing faults in others easier than taking inventory of your own ABCs? If so, take heed, lest you too shall fall.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (I Corinthians 10:12)

Those are my additional thoughts, what are yours?