CHOOSE: TO ENCOURAGE

Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (Psalm 1:1, from memory so probably KJV)

Scornful folks tend to seek company with the ungodly, and other sinners. But beware, it's an easy "seat" to fall into, even when you sit in your pew every Sunday. That's why Paul admonishes us "to do all things without  murmuring...(Philippians 2:14) Think, inuendos.

To me, a critical spirit spews scorn. Mother would refer to the scornful as "catty." 

Neither descriptors are positive. Therefore, at our house, we try to be appreciative of another's uniqueness or attempts---to applaud their efforts or at least try to understand them, even if that takes extra effort.

"Different"is not a sin.

Scornful folks might be trying to shame others so that their own deficiencies are not so obvious. The adept might introduce scorn through the backdoor of sarcasm---but that still oozes with criticism, even when they try to laugh it off as a joke.

Sarcasm can easily overflow from the heart of the scornful, and sarcasm hurts!

That judgmental seat of scorn is not a place of encouragement. So....don't even go there, much less sit down or take up residence.

May none of us choose to scorn or harbor a critical spirit in our hearts but rather choose to encourage.

Choosing to encourage comes easier as one delights in God's law and meditates on it and not on the perceived faults of others.

DANCERS

9/1/11 Can you clearly read the inscription on this "Hallmark" card? "In this world, there are DANCERS and there are critics." The inside reads, "Happy Birthday to one of the DANCERS."
Do you ever wonder how others would classify you? I do. When I received this card years ago from my friend Ellen, I was humbled. Humbled because I knew what a critical spirit resided within me and so did my family, especially my children. I think I rationalized that I needed to be realistic with them and too often I think it robbed them of the simple joy of being a child with big dreams and hopes----which I probably dashed with said realism.

So what does constitute a dancer? In my life "dancers" are defined by spirit, more than moves on a dance floor. I have many in my life and I aspire to be like them. I hope to introduce a few of them to my blogging world as I delineate just what makes them stand out in my life. The fact that I have seen two of them recently has all of this on my mind.

How 'bout you, reader? Are you a dancer? Or, do you justify criticism as you "rain on someone else's parade?" Psalm 149:3 speaks of "praising His name with dancing." I can only imagine the praise and delight that is lifted heavenward every time our steps/action are seen as a those of a "dancer" in someone's life.

Encouragement

2/13/09 Encouragement
Years ago, I received a birthday card from dear friend, Ellen----I was born in September on a Friday the 13th, so I consider all Friday the 13ths as days of blessing and am so grateful for all the ones the Lord has given me. The card said, “In this world, there are “dancers” and there are critics. Happy Birthday to one on the “Dancers.” That card was such an encouragement to me, that to this day, I remember it---I eventually found that same card at Hallmark---but only 2 of them--- and thus was able to pass along that same encouragement to two friends whose celebration of life and the Lord, had been, & continues to be, such an inspiration to me ---even though we live miles apart and I see them just every few years---and they don't even know each other.

You see a critical spirit comes far too easily for me, so I want to choose each day to encourage rather than criticize----or hold others to my expectations----I choose today to let go of the list of responsibilities I want to put on others and choose instead to respond in relational love.

Love is about relationship. I choose today to live and dance...... 

......in a time of glorious expectancy in relationships (not a legalistic expectation)---an expectancy of cherishing and encouraging----I want family and friends to know how much I love them and all too often I’m not very good at showing that.

How about you? Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day----show your love to those God has placed in your life---even those who grate on your nerves at time---God can allow His love to flow through you to others.
Habakkuk (one of those books near the back of the Old Testament) shows that when the prophet set himself to listen to what the Lord had to say to him, he heard not about himself but about others----“Write down this revelation and make it plain to others.”

Today, prepare to do something for others on V-Day 2009---something of significance to “herald” your love for them. Maybe put your dancing shoes on, and give them (or him/her) a whirl around the room and make your love plain to them. Celebrate life and each other.