GOD LISTENS! GOD HEARS!

God not only listens! God truly hears!!

Above all, hold unfailing your love for one another, (1 Peter 4:8a, RSV)

A privilege of true fellowship!

CHOOSE: TO ANSWER TRUTHFULLY

Answering truthfully to people doesn't seem hard at all unless I'm trying to "spare" their feelings. But answering myself truthfully is not always so easy. Too often rationalization gets factored in to the equation. 

Tidying the pantry (not alphabetizing, tho that is often very helpful) had me questioning myself today. As I stacked the "NICE" products from a Walgreens sale with the Kroger "Home Sense" cheapies, I thought about being nice to others. 

Then, questions followed. Who are you nice to in your daily walk? 

My first thought was, "I "try" to be nice to everyone who crosses my path---from clerks and sales people to "late" repair men and sanitation workers." Friends are easy to be nice to as are church folks. 

Even people whom I don't know, can elicit a "nice" smile, especially if I see them showing patience & kindness to others. Sometimes, if I don't feel like being nice, I choose to "stuff" my negative emotions and smile anyway.

But.....what happens when I get home? Do I allow earlier negative emotions to roll out and steam roll over loved ones? I think the Dr. Nutcrackers of this world call it displaced anger or displaced aggression.

Do I choose to be nice to hubby when he's grumpy or he's been nice and emptied the dishwasher and I can't find where he's put things? Do I take that "minor" frustration out on him just because earlier in the day an unknown male behind the wheel cut me off and then raised his "not so nice finger "at me?. 

Why is it that family often get the brunt of our stress-induced emotions or our suppressed negative ones just waiting to vent?

Like my pantry shelving I need to choose to "mix" my "nice" in with "home" folks as a matter of course. It just makes sense to be NICE at home.

Love one another. (1 Peter 4:8) I think love includes being nice and "another" includes those folks both outside and inside the home----especially those who have been "patient and bearing with you" (Ephesians 4:2) for almost 48 years!

"hef-TEA cuppa"

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. (Colossians 3:12-13, NASB) 

"Born Loser" cartoon's character, Thornapple, shared his reliance on a cup of coffee to face his day, remarking, "I think I'm going to need a bigger cup." (Commercial Appeal, A8) Certainly there are days like that in everyone's life. 

However, we can easily fill our cups with harmful ingredients. This morning during my "Tea With Thee" time, I focused on the attributes of "blends" that I did NOT want in my cuppa. Greed, anger, malice, lying, abusive speech from my mouth. (Colossians 3:5-9) Those are dregs not needed. Yet, when one's body is tired, those characteristics can take center stage.

BUT GOD.....reminded me that love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

So.....fill me up Lord. More of Thee, less of me.

Sipping a hef-TEA cuppa of God's love. A great way to face each new day!