2 Corinthians 2:5-8
Remember that the man I wrote
about, who caused all the trouble, has not caused sorrow to me as much
as to all the rest of you—though I certainly have my share in it too. I
don’t want to be harder on him than I should. He has been punished
enough by your united disapproval. Now it is time to forgive him and
comfort him. Otherwise he may become so bitter and discouraged that he
won’t be able to recover. Please show him now that you still do love him
very much.
The Living
Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All
rights reserved.
Last night was “Movie in the Park” night at our local city park. The film presented was the Disney hit, Frozen…you
know…the one that has the theme song, “Let it Go”! That pretty well
sums up what the Apostle Paul is saying here…”Don’t hold a grudge…get
over it…move ahead…LET.IT.GO.”
I know…I know! Someone
did you wrong…REALLY did you wrong. You’re mad, upset, disappointed,
hurt…or whatever. Not only are YOU upset, but your friends and family
are unhappy, too. The person who wronged you has earned the wrath and
fury of your whole team!
I get it! I know what it feels like to
be troubled in some way by another person…to feel sorrow, betrayal, or
mistreatment of some sort at their expense. I think most of us have had
this experience, to some extent. But Paul makes the point that to
continue to harbor these feelings…or to harp on them to the person who
has wronged you and/or others…serves no purpose. The bitterness will
eat you alive…and your resentment toward the other guy will not
demonstrate the love of Christ to anyone.
See, we’ve all caused
Jesus PLENTY of trouble and sorrow. We’ve mistreated Him in ways we
cannot even articulate. Yet Jesus went to the cross for us, knowing
every single thing we would ever say and do to Him…fully recognizing all
that we would do to hurt others - and all of the countless ways that we
would disappoint and wound Him in our lifetime. He gave His life for
ours…knowing all of this. The grace, mercy, forgiveness and love that
Jesus showed to each of us on the cross are beyond what I can
comprehend.
If Jesus deems us worth all of this…worth His very
life on the cross…surely we can show some semblance of grace, mercy,
forgiveness and love to others. We’re not letting the other guy off the
hook…we’re stepping up to the plate and honoring our relationship with
Jesus Christ. There will be retribution and consequences for the bad
behaviors of others…but meting these out is not our responsibility. Our job
as Christians is to love others like Jesus loves us. And that means
knowing when to forgive, forget, and get over whatever has been done to
us.
Are you ready to show Jesus how much you love Him? Will
this be the day that you “let it go” and offer His grace and mercy to
the other guy? Don’t you think it should be?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label showing love and compassion to others. Show all posts
Showing posts with label showing love and compassion to others. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for March 9, 2014
Psalm 103:8-18
The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows, and we are gone - as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
When we went to lunch today after church, Zola got upset with me because I would not let her hold her milk bottle by herself. The milk at Burger King® comes in a plastic bottle, and we add a straw…and she usually ends up with more milk ON her than IN her! So I insisted on holding the bottle today while she got her drink. That did not go over well. She clammed up and stared straight ahead and would not speak or eat or move…for probably close to 15 minutes. We went on with our meal and virtually ignored her. She began to get upset when Timothy ate an apple slice from her plate…and then a French fry. I told her since she was not eating, that food was “fair game”…and soon, she was eating her lunch.
We are by no means experts when it comes to managing children and their “tantrums,” but we have learned that often, the more things you can ignore and overlook, the better. It would have served no purpose (other than to ruin lunch for everyone) if we had gotten upset today. There was no need for threats to punish...or a knee-jerk reaction. We chalked this up to the moodiness of an almost-three-year-old…maybe a lack of sleep…and Zola just being “Zola”!
As I read these scripture verses – which happen to be some of my favorites – I thought about how often we behave like a sullen or insolent child. We are stubborn… we disobey and disrupt…and God loves us anyway. He continues about His business while we sit and pout, wring our hands, or lie down on the floor and kick and scream in a temper tantrum. And then He picks us up and snuggles us as if to say, “Feel better now?”
We need to take a long hard look at these verses and the lessons they contain. We need to apply this same compassion and mercy to those we encounter in our daily living. We need to offer forgiveness…and to blow many offenses to the four winds – as though they had never been here. And with Jesus’ help, we can do exactly that! We do not have the power to forgive sins…but we can – and must – forgive offenses against us. We must look past hurts, irritations, and mistreatment and see what God sees…His precious children…and we must love them, as He loves us!
I pulled Zola into my lap as she began to eat, and I snuggled her. When I tried to return her to the chair beside me, she protested…”I want to sit with you!” She felt happy with me…and loved. It was as if we had experienced a mutual understanding that everything was forgiven…the pouting was over…and I still loved her just as much as ever. And that’s how it is with God. He loves us so much…even when we are so very unlovable. And He wants us to share that love with others in His name.
This is not always an easy thing to do…but it is so necessary. As God loves and forgives you…as He offers you compassion and mercy…won’t you do the same for others? Who do you need to figuratively “snuggle on your lap” today and let them know that all is forgiven? What grudges are you still holding? Isn’t this a great time to release them? Don’t you feel God calling you to do just that?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows, and we are gone - as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
When we went to lunch today after church, Zola got upset with me because I would not let her hold her milk bottle by herself. The milk at Burger King® comes in a plastic bottle, and we add a straw…and she usually ends up with more milk ON her than IN her! So I insisted on holding the bottle today while she got her drink. That did not go over well. She clammed up and stared straight ahead and would not speak or eat or move…for probably close to 15 minutes. We went on with our meal and virtually ignored her. She began to get upset when Timothy ate an apple slice from her plate…and then a French fry. I told her since she was not eating, that food was “fair game”…and soon, she was eating her lunch.
We are by no means experts when it comes to managing children and their “tantrums,” but we have learned that often, the more things you can ignore and overlook, the better. It would have served no purpose (other than to ruin lunch for everyone) if we had gotten upset today. There was no need for threats to punish...or a knee-jerk reaction. We chalked this up to the moodiness of an almost-three-year-old…maybe a lack of sleep…and Zola just being “Zola”!
As I read these scripture verses – which happen to be some of my favorites – I thought about how often we behave like a sullen or insolent child. We are stubborn… we disobey and disrupt…and God loves us anyway. He continues about His business while we sit and pout, wring our hands, or lie down on the floor and kick and scream in a temper tantrum. And then He picks us up and snuggles us as if to say, “Feel better now?”
We need to take a long hard look at these verses and the lessons they contain. We need to apply this same compassion and mercy to those we encounter in our daily living. We need to offer forgiveness…and to blow many offenses to the four winds – as though they had never been here. And with Jesus’ help, we can do exactly that! We do not have the power to forgive sins…but we can – and must – forgive offenses against us. We must look past hurts, irritations, and mistreatment and see what God sees…His precious children…and we must love them, as He loves us!
I pulled Zola into my lap as she began to eat, and I snuggled her. When I tried to return her to the chair beside me, she protested…”I want to sit with you!” She felt happy with me…and loved. It was as if we had experienced a mutual understanding that everything was forgiven…the pouting was over…and I still loved her just as much as ever. And that’s how it is with God. He loves us so much…even when we are so very unlovable. And He wants us to share that love with others in His name.
This is not always an easy thing to do…but it is so necessary. As God loves and forgives you…as He offers you compassion and mercy…won’t you do the same for others? Who do you need to figuratively “snuggle on your lap” today and let them know that all is forgiven? What grudges are you still holding? Isn’t this a great time to release them? Don’t you feel God calling you to do just that?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 10, 2014
Colossians 3:22-25
Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
On a recent episode of CBS’ Sunday Morning*, we were introduced to Gabe Sonnier, an elementary school principal in Port Barre, Louisiana. Sonnier appears to be one of the happiest men on the planet. In fact, the reporter said that Sonnier had “the most contagious smile in Cajun Country!” Sonnier said, “That smile just wants to break out…that’s just me!” What makes this story so remarkable is that Gabe Sonnier began his “career in education” 30 years at Port Barre Elementary School with a totally different office…the mop room.
Yes, Sonnier was once the school’s custodian! In 1985, the former principal, Westley Jones, told him, “I would rather see you grading papers than picking them up.” Sonnier took this to heart, and as the reporter told us, “When he wasn’t cleaning classrooms, he was studying in them.” Sonnier now has a Master’s Degree in education…and he even aspires to possibly become the school district’s superintendent someday. He says he thinks he would like that!
The “punctuation mark” to this story is that Gabe Sonnier still cleans his own office. He could easily order the new custodian to do it. But as the reporter noted…“You can take the janitor out of the mop room, but you can’t take the work ethic out of the janitor”…at least not in this case. And therein lies the lesson for all of us. When we are able to find the joy and satisfaction in something as seemingly menial or insignificant as cleaning a floor, we have turned a significant corner. More importantly, when we recognize that even cleaning our office can glorify God, we have discovered a valuable component of Christian discipleship. It’s not that cleaning is so important on its own…it’s about the spirit with which we do it.
So as I clean my house, I thank God that He has given me such a comfortable, beautiful place to live. I honor Him by keeping it neat and clean. When you clean your room – or your car – tell God how much you appreciate Him for providing you with a means of transportation…a safe ride and/or a roof over your head…and more. When you go to school and study, thank God that you are granted the means to learn and grow in wisdom…that He has given you the opportunity to develop and fulfill the potential He has placed within you. When you go to work, give God thanks for providing you with a job. Remember that many would give anything to have employment and a means to support themselves.
If you are retired, thank God for getting you to this point…and ask Him to show you how and where He wants you to serve and honor Him in this phase of your life. Is God calling you to be a good friend and neighbor…a servant in ministry of some sort…a prayer warrior…someone who encourages others with cards and phone calls…a mentor to young people??? Are you fully engaged in honoring God, showing your gratitude - and sharing this appreciativeness with others? Is it clearly evident that you will not be content with shoddy work…that you consider your “performance” in even the smallest task a reflection of your Discipleship and devotion to God?
Your smile may not be as prominent and continual as Gabe Sonnier’s. But we can all find a way to express our joy and gratitude as we perform every single task to the glory of God. We can encourage others and lift their spirits by demonstrating the blessings of doing good work and giving God our very best.
Gabe Sonnier summed up his life’s work with a sentence that he often offers to his students…“It’s not where you start…it’s how you finish.” What will be said of you? What does your daily “work ethic” show others about your faith? Are you content with shoddy work… or are you offering God your very best in every single task? Do others see an example of God’s blessings and glory in your efforts? Isn’t it time they did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
* http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/louisiana-principals-remarkable-success-story/
Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
On a recent episode of CBS’ Sunday Morning*, we were introduced to Gabe Sonnier, an elementary school principal in Port Barre, Louisiana. Sonnier appears to be one of the happiest men on the planet. In fact, the reporter said that Sonnier had “the most contagious smile in Cajun Country!” Sonnier said, “That smile just wants to break out…that’s just me!” What makes this story so remarkable is that Gabe Sonnier began his “career in education” 30 years at Port Barre Elementary School with a totally different office…the mop room.
Yes, Sonnier was once the school’s custodian! In 1985, the former principal, Westley Jones, told him, “I would rather see you grading papers than picking them up.” Sonnier took this to heart, and as the reporter told us, “When he wasn’t cleaning classrooms, he was studying in them.” Sonnier now has a Master’s Degree in education…and he even aspires to possibly become the school district’s superintendent someday. He says he thinks he would like that!
The “punctuation mark” to this story is that Gabe Sonnier still cleans his own office. He could easily order the new custodian to do it. But as the reporter noted…“You can take the janitor out of the mop room, but you can’t take the work ethic out of the janitor”…at least not in this case. And therein lies the lesson for all of us. When we are able to find the joy and satisfaction in something as seemingly menial or insignificant as cleaning a floor, we have turned a significant corner. More importantly, when we recognize that even cleaning our office can glorify God, we have discovered a valuable component of Christian discipleship. It’s not that cleaning is so important on its own…it’s about the spirit with which we do it.
So as I clean my house, I thank God that He has given me such a comfortable, beautiful place to live. I honor Him by keeping it neat and clean. When you clean your room – or your car – tell God how much you appreciate Him for providing you with a means of transportation…a safe ride and/or a roof over your head…and more. When you go to school and study, thank God that you are granted the means to learn and grow in wisdom…that He has given you the opportunity to develop and fulfill the potential He has placed within you. When you go to work, give God thanks for providing you with a job. Remember that many would give anything to have employment and a means to support themselves.
If you are retired, thank God for getting you to this point…and ask Him to show you how and where He wants you to serve and honor Him in this phase of your life. Is God calling you to be a good friend and neighbor…a servant in ministry of some sort…a prayer warrior…someone who encourages others with cards and phone calls…a mentor to young people??? Are you fully engaged in honoring God, showing your gratitude - and sharing this appreciativeness with others? Is it clearly evident that you will not be content with shoddy work…that you consider your “performance” in even the smallest task a reflection of your Discipleship and devotion to God?
Your smile may not be as prominent and continual as Gabe Sonnier’s. But we can all find a way to express our joy and gratitude as we perform every single task to the glory of God. We can encourage others and lift their spirits by demonstrating the blessings of doing good work and giving God our very best.
Gabe Sonnier summed up his life’s work with a sentence that he often offers to his students…“It’s not where you start…it’s how you finish.” What will be said of you? What does your daily “work ethic” show others about your faith? Are you content with shoddy work… or are you offering God your very best in every single task? Do others see an example of God’s blessings and glory in your efforts? Isn’t it time they did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
* http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/louisiana-principals-remarkable-success-story/
Daily Devotional for February 5, 2014
Proverbs 4:23-27
Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
For several years now, I have served as the neighborhood volunteer for the American Heart Association’s annual fund drive. I send information to each household in my neighborhood about heart disease and how to prevent it…and of course, a request for a donation to the American Heart Association to fund research and future treatments and cures is included. Each neighbor receives information about heart disease and how to prevent it. A statement is printed on the back of each neighbor’s envelope that states: “Regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity done for at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week helps prevent heart and blood vessel disease. The more activity, the greater your benefits."
When I read these verses from Proverbs 4 about keeping vigilant watch over your heart, I immediately thought of this admonition from the American Heart Association. The information printed on the envelope refers to a person’s physical heart, while the verses in Proverbs refer to your thoughts, emotions, spirit and soul. And both need “vigorous activity – most or all days of the week”! Our physical heart needs 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day, such as some form of aerobic activity…a moderate diet that is high in fiber, lower in sugar, and calorie conscious…and a lifestyle that avoids smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and manages stress.
The “Spirit-filled heart” needs a completely different form of exercise…a careful avoidance of speaking unkindly, telling lies, and sharing gossip…a lifestyle that remains focused on our relationship with God and serving Him…an effort to stay alert to the devil’s attempts to trip us up and cause us to veer off course…and a steady diet of God’s word and communication with Him to make sure that we are continually operating in His will. Just as with the physical heart, the more activity and attention we give to our spiritual “heart health”, the greater our benefits!
A healthy heart is vital if we are to enjoy a happy, productive life…both physically and spiritually. Have you checked your “heart health” today? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
For several years now, I have served as the neighborhood volunteer for the American Heart Association’s annual fund drive. I send information to each household in my neighborhood about heart disease and how to prevent it…and of course, a request for a donation to the American Heart Association to fund research and future treatments and cures is included. Each neighbor receives information about heart disease and how to prevent it. A statement is printed on the back of each neighbor’s envelope that states: “Regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity done for at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week helps prevent heart and blood vessel disease. The more activity, the greater your benefits."
When I read these verses from Proverbs 4 about keeping vigilant watch over your heart, I immediately thought of this admonition from the American Heart Association. The information printed on the envelope refers to a person’s physical heart, while the verses in Proverbs refer to your thoughts, emotions, spirit and soul. And both need “vigorous activity – most or all days of the week”! Our physical heart needs 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day, such as some form of aerobic activity…a moderate diet that is high in fiber, lower in sugar, and calorie conscious…and a lifestyle that avoids smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and manages stress.
The “Spirit-filled heart” needs a completely different form of exercise…a careful avoidance of speaking unkindly, telling lies, and sharing gossip…a lifestyle that remains focused on our relationship with God and serving Him…an effort to stay alert to the devil’s attempts to trip us up and cause us to veer off course…and a steady diet of God’s word and communication with Him to make sure that we are continually operating in His will. Just as with the physical heart, the more activity and attention we give to our spiritual “heart health”, the greater our benefits!
A healthy heart is vital if we are to enjoy a happy, productive life…both physically and spiritually. Have you checked your “heart health” today? Don’t you think you should?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 30, 2014
Ephesians 5:15-16
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A short twenty-seven years ago, my husband and I embarked on a new business venture. We purchased a state-of-the-art Apple Macintosh computer and a couple of printers, including a laser printer that cost $4000 on its own. Today the same printer would probably cost a little more than $100! There was no cell phone…or World Wide Web…certainly nothing like Skype or FaceTime. Yes…things have certainly changed in a short period of time! We had plenty of opportunities for distraction…but they didn’t include playing “Candy Crush” or “Angry Birds” on a smart phone, communicating via social media, or texting. And none of these are bad past-times, if conducted wisely and in moderation.
Facebook is the perfect example. This social media vehicle can become a time waster…or a wonderful medium for sharing friendship, love and concern with others. A good case in point came in recent weeks when Buffy, a woman with whom I attended school and church as a teenager, became ill with the flu and double pneumonia. Her family members began to post prayer requests on Facebook. In turn, I shared these requests with my Facebook friends – many of whom had also been classmates and friends. Buffy died earlier this week. As her brother said to me, “thru your posts, thousands of folks prayed for Buff.” He thanked me for contributing to “this avalanche of love that's covered all of us.”
Every day, we have opportunities to spend our time wisely… or to waste it. Our choices matter…more than we may ever realize. The thirty minutes you spend writing cards of encouragement to someone or visiting with a friend or acquaintance on the phone may give them exactly the lift they needed to get through another day. The hour you turn off the computer or television and take a walk with your spouse, family member or friend… play in the floor with a child…or visit a neighbor…may generate results and blessings beyond your wildest imagination – for that person AND for you! The time you spend reading this devotional may give God an opportunity to provide you with insights you had not considered…and help you to serve more fully and effectively as one of Christ’s disciples!
The point is that everyone has the same amount of time each day. The difference comes in how we choose to use our time…where we place priorities…our ability to create balance between the demands of others and the world, our own desires, and God’s will. The best way to accomplish a successful equilibrium is to earnestly seek God each day…to start with the question, “What do YOU want from me in the next 24 hours?” We must listen to God’s voice and direction and schedule our activities accordingly. We must leave room on our calendar for the unexpected…and not fill our days so chock full that we are totally thrown into a tizzy when something happens that we did not anticipate and/or could not predict.
Opportunities to serve others…to share the love and compassion of Jesus with them…are all around us. I don’t know what new gadgets, gizmos and inventions the coming years will bring - or what means they will offer for serving others (and potential distractions) will accompany them. But I do know that God can show us how to keep balance in our lives and spend our time wisely. Are you willing to listen and let Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A short twenty-seven years ago, my husband and I embarked on a new business venture. We purchased a state-of-the-art Apple Macintosh computer and a couple of printers, including a laser printer that cost $4000 on its own. Today the same printer would probably cost a little more than $100! There was no cell phone…or World Wide Web…certainly nothing like Skype or FaceTime. Yes…things have certainly changed in a short period of time! We had plenty of opportunities for distraction…but they didn’t include playing “Candy Crush” or “Angry Birds” on a smart phone, communicating via social media, or texting. And none of these are bad past-times, if conducted wisely and in moderation.
Facebook is the perfect example. This social media vehicle can become a time waster…or a wonderful medium for sharing friendship, love and concern with others. A good case in point came in recent weeks when Buffy, a woman with whom I attended school and church as a teenager, became ill with the flu and double pneumonia. Her family members began to post prayer requests on Facebook. In turn, I shared these requests with my Facebook friends – many of whom had also been classmates and friends. Buffy died earlier this week. As her brother said to me, “thru your posts, thousands of folks prayed for Buff.” He thanked me for contributing to “this avalanche of love that's covered all of us.”
Every day, we have opportunities to spend our time wisely… or to waste it. Our choices matter…more than we may ever realize. The thirty minutes you spend writing cards of encouragement to someone or visiting with a friend or acquaintance on the phone may give them exactly the lift they needed to get through another day. The hour you turn off the computer or television and take a walk with your spouse, family member or friend… play in the floor with a child…or visit a neighbor…may generate results and blessings beyond your wildest imagination – for that person AND for you! The time you spend reading this devotional may give God an opportunity to provide you with insights you had not considered…and help you to serve more fully and effectively as one of Christ’s disciples!
The point is that everyone has the same amount of time each day. The difference comes in how we choose to use our time…where we place priorities…our ability to create balance between the demands of others and the world, our own desires, and God’s will. The best way to accomplish a successful equilibrium is to earnestly seek God each day…to start with the question, “What do YOU want from me in the next 24 hours?” We must listen to God’s voice and direction and schedule our activities accordingly. We must leave room on our calendar for the unexpected…and not fill our days so chock full that we are totally thrown into a tizzy when something happens that we did not anticipate and/or could not predict.
Opportunities to serve others…to share the love and compassion of Jesus with them…are all around us. I don’t know what new gadgets, gizmos and inventions the coming years will bring - or what means they will offer for serving others (and potential distractions) will accompany them. But I do know that God can show us how to keep balance in our lives and spend our time wisely. Are you willing to listen and let Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 28, 2014
Ephesians 5:21
Honor Christ and put others first.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of my favorite television sitcoms is “The Big Bang Theory”. It showcases four nerdy geeks who are geniuses in the scientific world…but almost literally cannot get in out of the rain in everyday life. One of the nerdiest is a character named Sheldon Cooper. According to a fan website… http://the-big-bang-theory.com - “Sheldon is the uber geek, he possesses a Master's degree and 2 PhDs, and conducts string theory research at Caltech.” Sheldon is also an egomaniac, and when he’s particularly proud of something he has said or done, he shouts, “Bazinga!” Here are a few examples of “Sheldon quotes” from various episodes…
You get the picture…it’s all about Sheldon – all the time. And for the record, this character’s background includes a devoutly Christian mother from Texas - and Sheldon often makes references to his church upbringing. While he sometimes cites moral dilemmas…such as claiming not to drink coffee because his mother admonished him “not to do drugs”, his focus does not appear to be on honoring Christ – and he most certainly would not choose to put others first!
“Sheldon Cooper” is an extreme example…but don’t we all know some version of him? Maybe you are even one of these people. When someone is sick, you have to tell them about YOUR ailments rather than offer empathy for theirs. It’s one thing to say, “I had that once, and it is miserable”… or “I remember how sad I felt when MY mother died…and I am so very sorry”…or “Losing my job was the catalyst for me to go back to school and start a new career...I am praying that you will find a new beginning, as well.” It’s quite another to launch into a dissertation about your litany of illnesses and/or injuries, or to go on and on about how you are mired in your own grief…or to be flippant about a job loss, disappointment, or challenge. It’s even worse to turn these into opportunities to toot your own horn – or to appeal to others for sympathy or commiseration on your own behalf.
I’ve quoted my pastor several times, but “there is a heartache on every pew”. I am pretty sure for everything you and I think we are enduring in the course of a day…someone else has it worse! Yes, we are important…our feelings matter – especially to God. But the way we glorify God and demonstrate His love to others is to step outside of ourselves…and into the shoes of the other guy…and to focus on his/her needs.
Use the experiences of your life to minister to others. If you’ve had the same illness, you know best how to encourage someone as he/she convalesces. If you have lost a parent, grandparent, sibling or other loved one – or even a beloved pet – you can offer first-hand understanding and condolence to someone else enduring the same loss. Whether it’s a happy occurrence or a tragic one, you have actual, personal familiarity with a variety of situations that equips you to minister to others in the same boat. And in doing so, you honor Christ.
There are an awful lot of “Sheldon Coopers” among us…people who have the intellect and capacity for showing compassion to others – and sharing the love of Christ in the bargain…but choose instead to place the focus of pretty much everything on themselves. Don’t be one of these people. Open your eyes and ears – and your heart – and see who needs you today. Then get busy blessing them in Jesus’ name…and give God a reason to shout, “Bazinga!”
©2014 Debbie Robus
Honor Christ and put others first.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of my favorite television sitcoms is “The Big Bang Theory”. It showcases four nerdy geeks who are geniuses in the scientific world…but almost literally cannot get in out of the rain in everyday life. One of the nerdiest is a character named Sheldon Cooper. According to a fan website… http://the-big-bang-theory.com - “Sheldon is the uber geek, he possesses a Master's degree and 2 PhDs, and conducts string theory research at Caltech.” Sheldon is also an egomaniac, and when he’s particularly proud of something he has said or done, he shouts, “Bazinga!” Here are a few examples of “Sheldon quotes” from various episodes…
- Sheldon: Why are you crying?
Penny: Because I'm stupid!
Sheldon: That's no reason to cry. One cries because one is sad. For example, I cry because others are stupid, and that makes me sad. - Sheldon: I assure you, you'll be sorry that you wasted your money on an iPod when Microsoft comes out with theirs.
Rajesh: Do you have an opinion about everything?
Sheldon: Yes.
Howard: And you just assume you're right?
Sheldon: It's not an assumption. - Sheldon: Howard, you know me to be a very smart man. Don't you think that if I were wrong, I'd know it?
You get the picture…it’s all about Sheldon – all the time. And for the record, this character’s background includes a devoutly Christian mother from Texas - and Sheldon often makes references to his church upbringing. While he sometimes cites moral dilemmas…such as claiming not to drink coffee because his mother admonished him “not to do drugs”, his focus does not appear to be on honoring Christ – and he most certainly would not choose to put others first!
“Sheldon Cooper” is an extreme example…but don’t we all know some version of him? Maybe you are even one of these people. When someone is sick, you have to tell them about YOUR ailments rather than offer empathy for theirs. It’s one thing to say, “I had that once, and it is miserable”… or “I remember how sad I felt when MY mother died…and I am so very sorry”…or “Losing my job was the catalyst for me to go back to school and start a new career...I am praying that you will find a new beginning, as well.” It’s quite another to launch into a dissertation about your litany of illnesses and/or injuries, or to go on and on about how you are mired in your own grief…or to be flippant about a job loss, disappointment, or challenge. It’s even worse to turn these into opportunities to toot your own horn – or to appeal to others for sympathy or commiseration on your own behalf.
I’ve quoted my pastor several times, but “there is a heartache on every pew”. I am pretty sure for everything you and I think we are enduring in the course of a day…someone else has it worse! Yes, we are important…our feelings matter – especially to God. But the way we glorify God and demonstrate His love to others is to step outside of ourselves…and into the shoes of the other guy…and to focus on his/her needs.
Use the experiences of your life to minister to others. If you’ve had the same illness, you know best how to encourage someone as he/she convalesces. If you have lost a parent, grandparent, sibling or other loved one – or even a beloved pet – you can offer first-hand understanding and condolence to someone else enduring the same loss. Whether it’s a happy occurrence or a tragic one, you have actual, personal familiarity with a variety of situations that equips you to minister to others in the same boat. And in doing so, you honor Christ.
There are an awful lot of “Sheldon Coopers” among us…people who have the intellect and capacity for showing compassion to others – and sharing the love of Christ in the bargain…but choose instead to place the focus of pretty much everything on themselves. Don’t be one of these people. Open your eyes and ears – and your heart – and see who needs you today. Then get busy blessing them in Jesus’ name…and give God a reason to shout, “Bazinga!”
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 26, 2014
Galatians 6:1-3
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
You messed up…made a big mistake. Maybe you broke the law, or you broke a promise. You hurt someone deeply…you betrayed family members, friends, co-workers. And now you are paying for your offense…in more ways than you ever imagined. The “obvious consequences” are bad enough…citations, court appearances – maybe even jail, loss of a job, getting kicked out of school, the break-up of a marriage or relationship - to name a few. But you didn’t expect the alienation and loneliness that has come with it. You didn’t realize that people would treat you like a pariah…or worse! Where are your friends? Why has your family distanced themselves from you? What happened to all of those co-workers or team mates who always wanted to socialize – at work and afterward?
There are consequences for mistakes…sometimes big ones. And many people do not consider the cost until after the fact. But the Bible tells us that as Christians, we have an obligation not to pile trouble upon trouble. In fact, we are to reach out to those who are hurting…those who have fallen…the ones on whom the rest of the world has turned its back. This doesn’t mean we are to condone their misdeeds. But we are to remind them that Jesus has not left them…and neither will we.
Think of yourself driving down the highway. You are cruising along - maybe even daydreaming a little. You top a hill and see the blue lights of a police car that has another car pulled over, and instinctively, you apply your brakes. You look at your speedometer and realize that YOU were speeding, too. Admit it…as you pass the two cars on the side of the road, you look at the poor guy who has gotten caught, and you shake your head – at least a little. And you probably say, “That easily could have been me.”
See, this is the thing. We are all one misstep away from needing mercy and grace from others…and honestly, we are all in need of daily mercy from Jesus – if not minute-by-minute! Jesus would never shun us. There are plenty of times when we disappoint Him – even anger Him – with our thoughts, words and actions. But Jesus never leaves us. He still visits us in the “jail cell” of our guilt and embarrassment – if not literally. Jesus still demonstrates love, compassion, and caring – even when we don’t deserve it. And we must do this for others.
So the person who hurt you so badly or caused great difficulties for others in his/her job, family life, friendships, athletic team – or church group – doesn’t deserve a “free pass”. But he/she does need our compassion…a smile…a hug…an “I love you and I’m praying for you”…and maybe even an “I forgive you.” The person who “got pulled over” needs to know that you still care about him/her…that nothing is too big for Jesus to forgive…and that we are seeing the person – not their sin. If we can do this, at least two things will happen: 1) our act of compassion may be the very catalyst for a change in this person; and 2) we will have helped to set the stage for our own mercy and understanding if/when we need it.
As this scripture points out, none of us is “that important!” Certainly none of us is above reproach…and there isn’t a single one of us who deserves Jesus’ mercy and compassion more than another. Jesus would never play favorites...so why would we?
Who needs to hear from you today? Where do you need to step forward…be bold…and approach someone on whom others have turned their backs? How will you help someone shoulder a burden today? What is Jesus calling you to do - and will you answer?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
You messed up…made a big mistake. Maybe you broke the law, or you broke a promise. You hurt someone deeply…you betrayed family members, friends, co-workers. And now you are paying for your offense…in more ways than you ever imagined. The “obvious consequences” are bad enough…citations, court appearances – maybe even jail, loss of a job, getting kicked out of school, the break-up of a marriage or relationship - to name a few. But you didn’t expect the alienation and loneliness that has come with it. You didn’t realize that people would treat you like a pariah…or worse! Where are your friends? Why has your family distanced themselves from you? What happened to all of those co-workers or team mates who always wanted to socialize – at work and afterward?
There are consequences for mistakes…sometimes big ones. And many people do not consider the cost until after the fact. But the Bible tells us that as Christians, we have an obligation not to pile trouble upon trouble. In fact, we are to reach out to those who are hurting…those who have fallen…the ones on whom the rest of the world has turned its back. This doesn’t mean we are to condone their misdeeds. But we are to remind them that Jesus has not left them…and neither will we.
Think of yourself driving down the highway. You are cruising along - maybe even daydreaming a little. You top a hill and see the blue lights of a police car that has another car pulled over, and instinctively, you apply your brakes. You look at your speedometer and realize that YOU were speeding, too. Admit it…as you pass the two cars on the side of the road, you look at the poor guy who has gotten caught, and you shake your head – at least a little. And you probably say, “That easily could have been me.”
See, this is the thing. We are all one misstep away from needing mercy and grace from others…and honestly, we are all in need of daily mercy from Jesus – if not minute-by-minute! Jesus would never shun us. There are plenty of times when we disappoint Him – even anger Him – with our thoughts, words and actions. But Jesus never leaves us. He still visits us in the “jail cell” of our guilt and embarrassment – if not literally. Jesus still demonstrates love, compassion, and caring – even when we don’t deserve it. And we must do this for others.
So the person who hurt you so badly or caused great difficulties for others in his/her job, family life, friendships, athletic team – or church group – doesn’t deserve a “free pass”. But he/she does need our compassion…a smile…a hug…an “I love you and I’m praying for you”…and maybe even an “I forgive you.” The person who “got pulled over” needs to know that you still care about him/her…that nothing is too big for Jesus to forgive…and that we are seeing the person – not their sin. If we can do this, at least two things will happen: 1) our act of compassion may be the very catalyst for a change in this person; and 2) we will have helped to set the stage for our own mercy and understanding if/when we need it.
As this scripture points out, none of us is “that important!” Certainly none of us is above reproach…and there isn’t a single one of us who deserves Jesus’ mercy and compassion more than another. Jesus would never play favorites...so why would we?
Who needs to hear from you today? Where do you need to step forward…be bold…and approach someone on whom others have turned their backs? How will you help someone shoulder a burden today? What is Jesus calling you to do - and will you answer?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 23, 2014
Matthew 7:12
“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In her book The Glass Castle, author Jeanette Walls provides us with a vivid picture of her childhood. Walls’ mother and father were somewhat the “poster children” for dysfunctional parenting. If you read this book, you will wonder how Walls and her siblings ever wanted to have anything to do with their parents. And yet, they cared for their father as he lay dying when the rigors of alcoholism ravaged his body – and ultimately took his life. Walls opens her book with a description of pulling up alongside her mother, who was dumpster diving on the streets of New York City, and inviting her into the car for a conversation.
Many people would have looked the other way and pretended that this was not their mother…or they would have rushed her into the car and ridiculed her for embarrassing them in such a manner. But Walls did neither. She does not speak of a faith in Christ in her books, but surely she has developed an understanding of the basic tenet of what we know as “The Golden Rule” somewhere…somehow. She is able to put aside her own humiliation…what would be understandable resentment for the way she, her brother and sister were reared – neglected and mistreated, if not downright abused. Jeanette Walls is able to consider the person before her and ask a simple question, “How would I want to be treated?” And this is how she responds.
Surely you have had at least one instance in your life where someone has essentially – if not literally – slapped you in the face. You’ve been the brunt of an embarrassing or derogatory gesture…you’ve been called an ugly name, experienced a betrayal, or someone has treated you so unkindly that you felt like the breath was sucked from your lungs. Maybe you have been lonely, sick or injured…and no one bothered to even call to check on you – much less visit and offer to help. Maybe you have had to figure out how to manage what seemed like an impossible task all by yourself, while those around you acted like you were virtually invisible. Either they were too busy, too disinterested, or truly didn’t care enough to help you…but the result was pretty much the same. You were left feeling insignificant and unloved.
I could list other situations…but you get the picture. We’ve all “been there, done that” at one time or another. So we should all understand how terrible this feels. We should all be ready to take a look at “the other guy” and ask, “How would I feel in his/her shoes?” But time after time – for whatever reason – we seem to be too busy to exercise this “rule-of-thumb behavior” that sums up all of the laws and teachings of Jesus.
We can do better. We MUST do better! We should take a page from Jeanette Wall’s book (no pun intended!) and put aside our own feelings to consider the other person…to meet his/her needs as we feel led by the LORD… and to let HIM handle the rest. We must get to a point in our own Christian discipleship where we focus on treating others as we would like to be treated (and as God directs us)…and we allow God handle how others treat us! I get it…this is far easier said than done. But again, nothing about being a disciple of Christ is necessarily easy!
So how do we proceed? Leo Babauta, author of the blog “Zen Habits”, posted “18 Practical Tips for Living the Golden Rule”.* It’s worth a look, and I encourage you to click on the link and read through them. There is so much more that each of us can do to share love and compassion with others…and to honor the teachings of Jesus and His amazing gift of grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion in our own lives. This may not come easily at first, but practice truly does “make perfect”…and in time, we can become far more adept at exercising this tenet in our daily living.
Babauta encourages us to do this so that we will be happier and “a better person”…so that our community will be a better place. I believe we must do this “because Jesus said so!” He has demonstrated this principle for each and every one of us. If we want to truly be His disciples, we will “pay it forward” to others...and trust Him to give us the wisdom, strength and courage to accomplish these things for His glory. I know I’m in… what about you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://zenhabits.net/18-practical-tips-for-living-the-golden-rule/
“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In her book The Glass Castle, author Jeanette Walls provides us with a vivid picture of her childhood. Walls’ mother and father were somewhat the “poster children” for dysfunctional parenting. If you read this book, you will wonder how Walls and her siblings ever wanted to have anything to do with their parents. And yet, they cared for their father as he lay dying when the rigors of alcoholism ravaged his body – and ultimately took his life. Walls opens her book with a description of pulling up alongside her mother, who was dumpster diving on the streets of New York City, and inviting her into the car for a conversation.
Many people would have looked the other way and pretended that this was not their mother…or they would have rushed her into the car and ridiculed her for embarrassing them in such a manner. But Walls did neither. She does not speak of a faith in Christ in her books, but surely she has developed an understanding of the basic tenet of what we know as “The Golden Rule” somewhere…somehow. She is able to put aside her own humiliation…what would be understandable resentment for the way she, her brother and sister were reared – neglected and mistreated, if not downright abused. Jeanette Walls is able to consider the person before her and ask a simple question, “How would I want to be treated?” And this is how she responds.
Surely you have had at least one instance in your life where someone has essentially – if not literally – slapped you in the face. You’ve been the brunt of an embarrassing or derogatory gesture…you’ve been called an ugly name, experienced a betrayal, or someone has treated you so unkindly that you felt like the breath was sucked from your lungs. Maybe you have been lonely, sick or injured…and no one bothered to even call to check on you – much less visit and offer to help. Maybe you have had to figure out how to manage what seemed like an impossible task all by yourself, while those around you acted like you were virtually invisible. Either they were too busy, too disinterested, or truly didn’t care enough to help you…but the result was pretty much the same. You were left feeling insignificant and unloved.
I could list other situations…but you get the picture. We’ve all “been there, done that” at one time or another. So we should all understand how terrible this feels. We should all be ready to take a look at “the other guy” and ask, “How would I feel in his/her shoes?” But time after time – for whatever reason – we seem to be too busy to exercise this “rule-of-thumb behavior” that sums up all of the laws and teachings of Jesus.
We can do better. We MUST do better! We should take a page from Jeanette Wall’s book (no pun intended!) and put aside our own feelings to consider the other person…to meet his/her needs as we feel led by the LORD… and to let HIM handle the rest. We must get to a point in our own Christian discipleship where we focus on treating others as we would like to be treated (and as God directs us)…and we allow God handle how others treat us! I get it…this is far easier said than done. But again, nothing about being a disciple of Christ is necessarily easy!
So how do we proceed? Leo Babauta, author of the blog “Zen Habits”, posted “18 Practical Tips for Living the Golden Rule”.* It’s worth a look, and I encourage you to click on the link and read through them. There is so much more that each of us can do to share love and compassion with others…and to honor the teachings of Jesus and His amazing gift of grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion in our own lives. This may not come easily at first, but practice truly does “make perfect”…and in time, we can become far more adept at exercising this tenet in our daily living.
Babauta encourages us to do this so that we will be happier and “a better person”…so that our community will be a better place. I believe we must do this “because Jesus said so!” He has demonstrated this principle for each and every one of us. If we want to truly be His disciples, we will “pay it forward” to others...and trust Him to give us the wisdom, strength and courage to accomplish these things for His glory. I know I’m in… what about you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://zenhabits.net/18-practical-tips-for-living-the-golden-rule/
Daily Devotional for January 21, 2014
Jeremiah 9:1-2
I wish my head were a well of water
and my eyes fountains of tears
So I could weep day and night
for casualties among my dear, dear people.
At times I wish I had a wilderness hut,
a backwoods cabin,
Where I could get away from my people
and never see them again.
They’re a faithless, feckless bunch,
a congregation of degenerates.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Yesterday we had an unseasonably warm January day. Greg and his lifelong friend, Rick, took a 250-mile motorcycle ride through the remote forests of the Ozarks and ate lunch in a little town called Jasper. Greg said the scenery was beautiful, serene…with long stretches where they saw absolutely no sign of human life. In one 60-mile-plus stretch, they met two cars. There are a lot of areas like this within a short drive of our community. When I’ve experienced personal challenges, I’ve often threatened (jokingly) to move to one of them…in particular, a scenic, pastoral mountain spot north of us called Prim. We all have times when we wish we could simply run away from everything that is difficult, sad, upsetting or unpleasant…and that is where I go – at least in my mind!
There are times when our hearts are so heavy and full for the concerns of our lives – and the lives of others – that we feel as if we actually could weep day and night. This morning, I opened my e-mail and Facebook accounts and learned that a church friend’s mother died suddenly last night, the 19-year-old great-grandson of my mother’s church friends is critically ill with the flu and pneumonia, a childhood friend buried her father yesterday, two friends are battling the flu, and another friend voiced an “un-spoken” prayer request. There were others, but you get the idea. On my desk, I have a list of at least ten people who need a card of encouragement, sympathy, get-well sentiments, and more.
Most days, I could spend a good chunk of my time praying for others and addressing their concerns…and yes, there are times when I really do wish I could “run away and move to Prim!” If you go back and read the chapters before and after this scripture passage, you will see that Jeremiah was crying out to God about the people of Judah. They were not living right…they had a zillion problems – mostly of their own making – and they didn’t appear to have any desire to change or do better! Jeremiah was heartsick for them… and fed up, at the same time. And essentially, he asked God, “What am I to do?”
As Christians, this must be our question. How do we show love, compassion and concern for others without drowning in their problems or becoming so frustrated when they don’t respond as we desire that we are ready to “run away and move to Prim”? If you continue reading in the 9th chapter of Jeremiah, you will see in verse 24 that God tells us not to get “high and mighty” or smug. He says, “If you brag, brag of this and this only: That you understand and know me. I’m God, and I act in loyal love. I do what’s right and set things right and fair, and delight in those who do the same things. These are my trademarks.” In other words, we are to do what we can…love others, pray for them, extend compassion as God directs…and then step aside and let God to the “heavy lifting”.
I know that this is a lot easier said than done for many of us. But God wants us to exercise balance in our lives as His servants. He wants us to show compassion and concern for others…but He doesn’t want us to get so worked up about all of this that we feel we need to run away to a backwoods cabin and never see people again! My challenge today for each of us is that we would ask God to show us balance…to give us a heart for others and their needs…to show us how, when and where to address these…and then to give us the wisdom and discernment to get out of His way and let Him work.
©2014 Debbie Robus
I wish my head were a well of water
and my eyes fountains of tears
So I could weep day and night
for casualties among my dear, dear people.
At times I wish I had a wilderness hut,
a backwoods cabin,
Where I could get away from my people
and never see them again.
They’re a faithless, feckless bunch,
a congregation of degenerates.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Yesterday we had an unseasonably warm January day. Greg and his lifelong friend, Rick, took a 250-mile motorcycle ride through the remote forests of the Ozarks and ate lunch in a little town called Jasper. Greg said the scenery was beautiful, serene…with long stretches where they saw absolutely no sign of human life. In one 60-mile-plus stretch, they met two cars. There are a lot of areas like this within a short drive of our community. When I’ve experienced personal challenges, I’ve often threatened (jokingly) to move to one of them…in particular, a scenic, pastoral mountain spot north of us called Prim. We all have times when we wish we could simply run away from everything that is difficult, sad, upsetting or unpleasant…and that is where I go – at least in my mind!
There are times when our hearts are so heavy and full for the concerns of our lives – and the lives of others – that we feel as if we actually could weep day and night. This morning, I opened my e-mail and Facebook accounts and learned that a church friend’s mother died suddenly last night, the 19-year-old great-grandson of my mother’s church friends is critically ill with the flu and pneumonia, a childhood friend buried her father yesterday, two friends are battling the flu, and another friend voiced an “un-spoken” prayer request. There were others, but you get the idea. On my desk, I have a list of at least ten people who need a card of encouragement, sympathy, get-well sentiments, and more.
Most days, I could spend a good chunk of my time praying for others and addressing their concerns…and yes, there are times when I really do wish I could “run away and move to Prim!” If you go back and read the chapters before and after this scripture passage, you will see that Jeremiah was crying out to God about the people of Judah. They were not living right…they had a zillion problems – mostly of their own making – and they didn’t appear to have any desire to change or do better! Jeremiah was heartsick for them… and fed up, at the same time. And essentially, he asked God, “What am I to do?”
As Christians, this must be our question. How do we show love, compassion and concern for others without drowning in their problems or becoming so frustrated when they don’t respond as we desire that we are ready to “run away and move to Prim”? If you continue reading in the 9th chapter of Jeremiah, you will see in verse 24 that God tells us not to get “high and mighty” or smug. He says, “If you brag, brag of this and this only: That you understand and know me. I’m God, and I act in loyal love. I do what’s right and set things right and fair, and delight in those who do the same things. These are my trademarks.” In other words, we are to do what we can…love others, pray for them, extend compassion as God directs…and then step aside and let God to the “heavy lifting”.
I know that this is a lot easier said than done for many of us. But God wants us to exercise balance in our lives as His servants. He wants us to show compassion and concern for others…but He doesn’t want us to get so worked up about all of this that we feel we need to run away to a backwoods cabin and never see people again! My challenge today for each of us is that we would ask God to show us balance…to give us a heart for others and their needs…to show us how, when and where to address these…and then to give us the wisdom and discernment to get out of His way and let Him work.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 20, 2014
Daniel 9:9
But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I still remember when my Mam-ma Polly told me that she had shoveled the ice off her driveway…”so that people could pull in safely.” She did this despite our most earnest pleas to stay inside…and stay OFF the ice! I cannot honestly say that she never fell doing this (because she probably would not have told us!), but thankfully, she never suffered any significant injuries as a result. And while we did not like her “rebellious” actions and behaviors at times, we always loved her and forgave her.
Parents have been doing this with children for generations. My cousins were telling recently of their now-adult daughter sticking something into the electrical outlet as a child – TWICE - despite their admonitions…”Don’t do that!” Of course, they loved her and cared for her afterward…but they still did not want her to put anything in the electrical outlets!
Every single day, we do things that displease God. We may be fully conscious of our rebellion…or it may be something that we do so automatically that we don’t realize what we have done. We may also rebel against God by charging ahead without asking for His guidance and seeking His wisdom. We have to do better at responding to God and obeying His commands. Thankfully, God is merciful, forgiving…and relatively patient with us in the meantime. Hopefully we can make daily progress as we grow closer to Him through prayer, Bible study, and the fellowship and sharing of encouragement with other believers.
As part of our Christian discipleship, we are called to show mercy, forgiveness and compassion to others. Let’s be honest…people are going to rebel against us…betray us…insult us…ignore us…or show us disrespect and/or mistreatment in some manner more than once in our lifetimes. Maybe you feel like this is a daily occurrence in your life! Truly, this is not what God desires for us. But then, He doesn’t desire that we treat Him in this manner, either. And in God, we see the perfect example of how to treat others. We don’t have to like their actions and behaviors…we don’t have to be their personal doormat…but we do have to offer them mercy and forgiveness, just as God offers each of us.
How do you maintain boundaries, stand up for yourself and what is right…yet let someone know that you do not condone rebellious actions and behaviors? We have been perfect examples of this all throughout scripture. There are consequences for bad behavior. God does not dole out blessings and “free passes” to those who disobey or disrespect Him. But He never stops loving them. God is always available to hear from His children…He makes sure basic needs are met, and He offers opportunities for restoration and reconciliation.
A cousin of mine once said of a mutual acquaintance…”When you get on his list – there is no eraser.” We may have to take a “time out” from someone…or step away from certain situations. We may have to practice “tough love” for a season. But we never stop sharing God’s love. We never stop praying – or caring. And when the person sincerely asks for our forgiveness…we must offer it. Imagine how you would feel if you were cut off from God…if you felt you had messed up so badly that He could never love you again. Thankfully, this will never happen! But we must still imagine how a person would feel if he/she thought this were the case…or how it would be for them to feel as if we had permanently and completely rejected them.
God wants us to love others as He loves us…so we must stand ready to offer mercy and forgiveness. To do otherwise is also an act of rebellion! This is a big challenge…but we serve a MIGHTY God…and He will give us the strength and wisdom to accomplish this! Are you ready to pay His mercy and forgiveness forward? Isn’t this a good day to begin?
©2014 Debbie Robus
But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I still remember when my Mam-ma Polly told me that she had shoveled the ice off her driveway…”so that people could pull in safely.” She did this despite our most earnest pleas to stay inside…and stay OFF the ice! I cannot honestly say that she never fell doing this (because she probably would not have told us!), but thankfully, she never suffered any significant injuries as a result. And while we did not like her “rebellious” actions and behaviors at times, we always loved her and forgave her.
Parents have been doing this with children for generations. My cousins were telling recently of their now-adult daughter sticking something into the electrical outlet as a child – TWICE - despite their admonitions…”Don’t do that!” Of course, they loved her and cared for her afterward…but they still did not want her to put anything in the electrical outlets!
Every single day, we do things that displease God. We may be fully conscious of our rebellion…or it may be something that we do so automatically that we don’t realize what we have done. We may also rebel against God by charging ahead without asking for His guidance and seeking His wisdom. We have to do better at responding to God and obeying His commands. Thankfully, God is merciful, forgiving…and relatively patient with us in the meantime. Hopefully we can make daily progress as we grow closer to Him through prayer, Bible study, and the fellowship and sharing of encouragement with other believers.
As part of our Christian discipleship, we are called to show mercy, forgiveness and compassion to others. Let’s be honest…people are going to rebel against us…betray us…insult us…ignore us…or show us disrespect and/or mistreatment in some manner more than once in our lifetimes. Maybe you feel like this is a daily occurrence in your life! Truly, this is not what God desires for us. But then, He doesn’t desire that we treat Him in this manner, either. And in God, we see the perfect example of how to treat others. We don’t have to like their actions and behaviors…we don’t have to be their personal doormat…but we do have to offer them mercy and forgiveness, just as God offers each of us.
How do you maintain boundaries, stand up for yourself and what is right…yet let someone know that you do not condone rebellious actions and behaviors? We have been perfect examples of this all throughout scripture. There are consequences for bad behavior. God does not dole out blessings and “free passes” to those who disobey or disrespect Him. But He never stops loving them. God is always available to hear from His children…He makes sure basic needs are met, and He offers opportunities for restoration and reconciliation.
A cousin of mine once said of a mutual acquaintance…”When you get on his list – there is no eraser.” We may have to take a “time out” from someone…or step away from certain situations. We may have to practice “tough love” for a season. But we never stop sharing God’s love. We never stop praying – or caring. And when the person sincerely asks for our forgiveness…we must offer it. Imagine how you would feel if you were cut off from God…if you felt you had messed up so badly that He could never love you again. Thankfully, this will never happen! But we must still imagine how a person would feel if he/she thought this were the case…or how it would be for them to feel as if we had permanently and completely rejected them.
God wants us to love others as He loves us…so we must stand ready to offer mercy and forgiveness. To do otherwise is also an act of rebellion! This is a big challenge…but we serve a MIGHTY God…and He will give us the strength and wisdom to accomplish this! Are you ready to pay His mercy and forgiveness forward? Isn’t this a good day to begin?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 15, 2014
Luke 10:30-35
Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
“A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’"
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My friend Teresa has entirely taken the term “Good Samaritan” to another level. She serves in outreach ministry through her local division of the Arkansas Dream Center, a church-supported group whose website lists their mission as…”to serve, love, and build relationships with the people in these communities in order that they would Dream Again. It’s a simple ...an after-school program to provide kids with snacks…homework help and fun activities…feeding pre-school and some of the elderly and disabled lunches twice a week during the school year…filling backpacks with food for kids to eat on weekends…annual coat and shoe drives, and perhaps their most ambitious project - a Christmas Mall, where close to 250 families were able to provide more than 500 toys to children who would otherwise receive nothing for Christmas.
Additionally, Teresa frequently puts out the call on Facebook to help someone… family of four lost everything in house fire – here are sizes and needs…elderly friend fell on the ice and needs a welfare check…looking for a queen size bed for a single mom who has no bed…electricity is due to be shut off TODAY - two children in home - one with special needs…family with two toddlers has NO FOOD - they have nothing to serve for Thanksgiving and no food in their house. You get the picture. And every time, someone comes through…usually with donations of goods and services to spare!
I know what you are thinking…that there are special people among us who truly are “Good Samaritans” like Teresa… and this is their “calling”…that ordinary folks like you and I could not be this effective. My answer is that Teresa is an “ordinary” single mother of two with a full-time job. She is not an heiress with an unlimited bank account or a paid employee of this organization. She is simply an obedient servant of Christ with a heart for others. In most cases, she doesn’t know the people she is serving…and it doesn’t matter. When I think of this story in Luke, I cannot imagine that Teresa would pass by the man traveling to Jericho…much less cross the street to avoid him. She would be like the Samaritan…she would go out of her way to kneel before him, assess his needs, and meet them. And if you continue reading in the 37th verse of this passage, Jesus tells the religious scholars – and us – to “go and do the same.”
Please understand that I am not suggesting that we all become involved in a ministry like the Arkansas Dream Center… or that we should strive to be involved to the same extent as my friend Teresa (but wouldn’t it be great if we were?!). What I am saying is that in many instances, we have honed the fine art of saying, “That’s not my problem!” and crossed to the other side of the road. Some of us have a fleeting hope that another person will pick up the slack and help out…while others never give it a second thought. Either way, we have failed to operate in obedience to Jesus’ commands.
My challenge to you – and to myself – is to set aside our own desires and agendas for just a few moments each day. Ask God, “Who, where and how do you want me to serve today?” And when He shows you His answer…make sure you pay attention. Be ready and willing to…”go and do the same.” If God has called you to it, He will enable you to accomplish it all...and then some!
©2014 Debbie Robus
http://arkansasdreamcenter.tv
Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
“A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’"
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
My friend Teresa has entirely taken the term “Good Samaritan” to another level. She serves in outreach ministry through her local division of the Arkansas Dream Center, a church-supported group whose website lists their mission as…”to serve, love, and build relationships with the people in these communities in order that they would Dream Again. It’s a simple ...an after-school program to provide kids with snacks…homework help and fun activities…feeding pre-school and some of the elderly and disabled lunches twice a week during the school year…filling backpacks with food for kids to eat on weekends…annual coat and shoe drives, and perhaps their most ambitious project - a Christmas Mall, where close to 250 families were able to provide more than 500 toys to children who would otherwise receive nothing for Christmas.
Additionally, Teresa frequently puts out the call on Facebook to help someone… family of four lost everything in house fire – here are sizes and needs…elderly friend fell on the ice and needs a welfare check…looking for a queen size bed for a single mom who has no bed…electricity is due to be shut off TODAY - two children in home - one with special needs…family with two toddlers has NO FOOD - they have nothing to serve for Thanksgiving and no food in their house. You get the picture. And every time, someone comes through…usually with donations of goods and services to spare!
I know what you are thinking…that there are special people among us who truly are “Good Samaritans” like Teresa… and this is their “calling”…that ordinary folks like you and I could not be this effective. My answer is that Teresa is an “ordinary” single mother of two with a full-time job. She is not an heiress with an unlimited bank account or a paid employee of this organization. She is simply an obedient servant of Christ with a heart for others. In most cases, she doesn’t know the people she is serving…and it doesn’t matter. When I think of this story in Luke, I cannot imagine that Teresa would pass by the man traveling to Jericho…much less cross the street to avoid him. She would be like the Samaritan…she would go out of her way to kneel before him, assess his needs, and meet them. And if you continue reading in the 37th verse of this passage, Jesus tells the religious scholars – and us – to “go and do the same.”
Please understand that I am not suggesting that we all become involved in a ministry like the Arkansas Dream Center… or that we should strive to be involved to the same extent as my friend Teresa (but wouldn’t it be great if we were?!). What I am saying is that in many instances, we have honed the fine art of saying, “That’s not my problem!” and crossed to the other side of the road. Some of us have a fleeting hope that another person will pick up the slack and help out…while others never give it a second thought. Either way, we have failed to operate in obedience to Jesus’ commands.
My challenge to you – and to myself – is to set aside our own desires and agendas for just a few moments each day. Ask God, “Who, where and how do you want me to serve today?” And when He shows you His answer…make sure you pay attention. Be ready and willing to…”go and do the same.” If God has called you to it, He will enable you to accomplish it all...and then some!
©2014 Debbie Robus
http://arkansasdreamcenter.tv
Daily Devotional for January 14, 2014
Hebrews 11:1-3
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Anyone who knows me very well knows that I am a “card person”. I enjoy making cards for others…but I also keep a stash of “store-bought” cards handy, so that I always have something available for sending a note of encouragement, expressing gratitude or condolences…or just to say, “I’m thinking of you today.” Sometimes a person is experiencing something of which I have first-hand knowledge…the loss of a parent or sibling, a particular illness or injury – or caring for a loved one who is ill or injured, or the loss of a pet, to name a few.
Other times, I have absolutely no personal background that equips me to say, “I know what you are going through… I get it.” Thankfully, I do not have a terminal illness…I have never lost a child...I’ve never had to say “Goodbye” to a loved one who was deployed overseas or put in harm’s way…I have not endured a divorce or the loss of my husband. Let’s be honest…words of “wisdom” and “understanding” can seem pretty hollow when they come from someone who has never walked in our shoes!
Does this mean that we should not offer compassion and expressions of encouragement to others when we have no first-hand knowledge of what they are experiencing? Absolutely not! But we must carefully consider our words and actions…how they are conveyed…and how they will be received. For instance, telling someone who has lost a child that “he/she is in a better place” does not truly offer them comfort in the moment. When someone is ill or injured, describing your own illnesses and injuries in detail serves no purpose. If friends divorce, suggesting that they “get over it” isn’t right, any more than coddling them and encouraging them to wallow in self-pity is appropriate.
So what are we to do? How do we show compassion and encouragement to others? In these scriptures, we are given a great model. We can share our faith. Where we have first-hand knowledge, we can say, “This is how God got me through my loss/illness/divorce/challenge.” We can tell others, “I know that right now it seems impossible that things will ever be better…but I can tell you from my own experiences that you will look back someday and see how God was orchestrating things and caring for you the whole time.”
If you do not have personal experience, you can still encourage…by lending quiet support, doing little things behind the scenes, and more. A simple hug can speak volumes. You can offer to run an errand that might seem difficult or stir an upsetting memory. You can send a note or e-mail to simply say, “I’m here if you need me… for anything.” When you do speak, you can say, “I can’t possibly understand what you are going through. I know this must be incredibly hard. But I know that God has never failed me in anything…and He isn’t about to fail you, either.”
This is “unseen faith”! We don’t know where, when or how… we just know that God is…that He is ever-present – and always working for us. When our foundation is firmly established in a relationship with God and fortified by salvation through Jesus Christ, we can endure the unthinkable…the improbable…the devastatingly difficult and impossible. Our faith in God – seen and unseen – makes life worth living. It truly is our “handle on what we can’t see.” And one of the greatest gifts we can give to someone else is to offer them compassion because of our faith…and to invite them to share in it, as well.
Sometimes it is so hard to know what to say and do for another person. But if we really, truly love Jesus and trust Him, we always have a response that is appropriate. Simply tell them that God loves them… that He is with them…that He has never failed you, and that you have confidence He isn’t going to start now. What God has done for us, He will surely do for others. Who needs to hear this from you today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Anyone who knows me very well knows that I am a “card person”. I enjoy making cards for others…but I also keep a stash of “store-bought” cards handy, so that I always have something available for sending a note of encouragement, expressing gratitude or condolences…or just to say, “I’m thinking of you today.” Sometimes a person is experiencing something of which I have first-hand knowledge…the loss of a parent or sibling, a particular illness or injury – or caring for a loved one who is ill or injured, or the loss of a pet, to name a few.
Other times, I have absolutely no personal background that equips me to say, “I know what you are going through… I get it.” Thankfully, I do not have a terminal illness…I have never lost a child...I’ve never had to say “Goodbye” to a loved one who was deployed overseas or put in harm’s way…I have not endured a divorce or the loss of my husband. Let’s be honest…words of “wisdom” and “understanding” can seem pretty hollow when they come from someone who has never walked in our shoes!
Does this mean that we should not offer compassion and expressions of encouragement to others when we have no first-hand knowledge of what they are experiencing? Absolutely not! But we must carefully consider our words and actions…how they are conveyed…and how they will be received. For instance, telling someone who has lost a child that “he/she is in a better place” does not truly offer them comfort in the moment. When someone is ill or injured, describing your own illnesses and injuries in detail serves no purpose. If friends divorce, suggesting that they “get over it” isn’t right, any more than coddling them and encouraging them to wallow in self-pity is appropriate.
So what are we to do? How do we show compassion and encouragement to others? In these scriptures, we are given a great model. We can share our faith. Where we have first-hand knowledge, we can say, “This is how God got me through my loss/illness/divorce/challenge.” We can tell others, “I know that right now it seems impossible that things will ever be better…but I can tell you from my own experiences that you will look back someday and see how God was orchestrating things and caring for you the whole time.”
If you do not have personal experience, you can still encourage…by lending quiet support, doing little things behind the scenes, and more. A simple hug can speak volumes. You can offer to run an errand that might seem difficult or stir an upsetting memory. You can send a note or e-mail to simply say, “I’m here if you need me… for anything.” When you do speak, you can say, “I can’t possibly understand what you are going through. I know this must be incredibly hard. But I know that God has never failed me in anything…and He isn’t about to fail you, either.”
This is “unseen faith”! We don’t know where, when or how… we just know that God is…that He is ever-present – and always working for us. When our foundation is firmly established in a relationship with God and fortified by salvation through Jesus Christ, we can endure the unthinkable…the improbable…the devastatingly difficult and impossible. Our faith in God – seen and unseen – makes life worth living. It truly is our “handle on what we can’t see.” And one of the greatest gifts we can give to someone else is to offer them compassion because of our faith…and to invite them to share in it, as well.
Sometimes it is so hard to know what to say and do for another person. But if we really, truly love Jesus and trust Him, we always have a response that is appropriate. Simply tell them that God loves them… that He is with them…that He has never failed you, and that you have confidence He isn’t going to start now. What God has done for us, He will surely do for others. Who needs to hear this from you today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 12, 2014
Romans 12:20-21
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Forty-something years ago, when I was in junior high and high school, we didn’t talk about bullies as much as people do today…but I had one. And it turns out that this person bullied a lot of my friends, also. Maybe it was just as bad for them as it was for me, but I felt like I was one of her favorite targets. I didn’t say much about it to my mom, so she probably had no clue just how miserable it was for me at times. When I did mention something, she would remind me to be kind to others and say things like, “People only tease you because they like you.” Today, we all know better about many instances of bullying. We’ve all read and heard the stories of children who were taunted and badgered horrifically…often with tragic consequences. Thankfully, my situation – and that of my friends – was never this severe, and we all appear to have survived our teenage years fairly unscathed.
As adults, most of my friends and I have been incredibly blessed. But the person who bullied us has not fared as well. Her life has had a series of ups and downs…and included some pretty significant struggles. When I learned of one instance, I sent word to her that I was praying for her… that I was sorry for her troubles and hoped things improved quickly. A few months later, I saw her in person, and she was incredibly kind and complimentary.
I will admit… there was a part of me that wanted to scream, “Do you know how you tormented me when we were growing up? Do you know how miserable you made life for me and many of my friends on an almost-daily basis?” (There was also a part that wanted to thumb my nose and say, “Nyah, nyah, nyah-nyah, nyah!” But something told me that either: 1) she doesn’t have a clue what she did; or 2) she knows full well how badly she treated us, and she is incredibly remorseful. I went with option #2.
In our brief encounter that day, it seemed as if this woman was almost relieved – even grateful – that I did not bring up the past. I got a real sense that she may have expected me to either snub her as she approached me - and refuse to speak to her - or to rebuke her vehemently for what she had done. I could almost feel the appreciativeness in her voice and demeanor when I did neither.
In the end, we both came away with a positive impression. Another school friend once said to me, “I guess it must be satisfying in some way to know that her life didn’t turn out all that well.” I told her that nothing could be farther from the truth. We are not supposed to delight in revenge or another person’s misfortune, regardless of what they might have done or whether we feel they “got what they had coming.” I could have even excused this person by saying, “You treated me so terribly when we were growing up…and I have forgiven you for every bit of that.” But I didn’t have to say anything…my actions and my lack of retaliation spoke volumes. I don’t know if she felt better afterward…but I surely did!
Throughout the Bible, there are verses that support the adage that we are to “Kill ‘em with kindness.” Every single one of us will be insulted, mistreated in some way, knocked down or betrayed. Hateful words will fly…unkind actions and injustices will be inflicted upon us. And the Bible is very clear that we are to continue to treat others with compassion and generosity.
Regardless of how much or how little you have…whether your life has been a “bed of roses” or littered with “thorns”, share love and compassion with others. Operate out of the blessings and abundance of God’s grace and mercy in your own life. Income and status do not determine needs of the heart. Give freely to all who are in need, and “kill ‘em with kindness”. Never operate in evil or retaliation. Surprise others with goodness…and you might just surprise yourself in the process!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Forty-something years ago, when I was in junior high and high school, we didn’t talk about bullies as much as people do today…but I had one. And it turns out that this person bullied a lot of my friends, also. Maybe it was just as bad for them as it was for me, but I felt like I was one of her favorite targets. I didn’t say much about it to my mom, so she probably had no clue just how miserable it was for me at times. When I did mention something, she would remind me to be kind to others and say things like, “People only tease you because they like you.” Today, we all know better about many instances of bullying. We’ve all read and heard the stories of children who were taunted and badgered horrifically…often with tragic consequences. Thankfully, my situation – and that of my friends – was never this severe, and we all appear to have survived our teenage years fairly unscathed.
As adults, most of my friends and I have been incredibly blessed. But the person who bullied us has not fared as well. Her life has had a series of ups and downs…and included some pretty significant struggles. When I learned of one instance, I sent word to her that I was praying for her… that I was sorry for her troubles and hoped things improved quickly. A few months later, I saw her in person, and she was incredibly kind and complimentary.
I will admit… there was a part of me that wanted to scream, “Do you know how you tormented me when we were growing up? Do you know how miserable you made life for me and many of my friends on an almost-daily basis?” (There was also a part that wanted to thumb my nose and say, “Nyah, nyah, nyah-nyah, nyah!” But something told me that either: 1) she doesn’t have a clue what she did; or 2) she knows full well how badly she treated us, and she is incredibly remorseful. I went with option #2.
In our brief encounter that day, it seemed as if this woman was almost relieved – even grateful – that I did not bring up the past. I got a real sense that she may have expected me to either snub her as she approached me - and refuse to speak to her - or to rebuke her vehemently for what she had done. I could almost feel the appreciativeness in her voice and demeanor when I did neither.
In the end, we both came away with a positive impression. Another school friend once said to me, “I guess it must be satisfying in some way to know that her life didn’t turn out all that well.” I told her that nothing could be farther from the truth. We are not supposed to delight in revenge or another person’s misfortune, regardless of what they might have done or whether we feel they “got what they had coming.” I could have even excused this person by saying, “You treated me so terribly when we were growing up…and I have forgiven you for every bit of that.” But I didn’t have to say anything…my actions and my lack of retaliation spoke volumes. I don’t know if she felt better afterward…but I surely did!
Throughout the Bible, there are verses that support the adage that we are to “Kill ‘em with kindness.” Every single one of us will be insulted, mistreated in some way, knocked down or betrayed. Hateful words will fly…unkind actions and injustices will be inflicted upon us. And the Bible is very clear that we are to continue to treat others with compassion and generosity.
Regardless of how much or how little you have…whether your life has been a “bed of roses” or littered with “thorns”, share love and compassion with others. Operate out of the blessings and abundance of God’s grace and mercy in your own life. Income and status do not determine needs of the heart. Give freely to all who are in need, and “kill ‘em with kindness”. Never operate in evil or retaliation. Surprise others with goodness…and you might just surprise yourself in the process!
©2014 Debbie Robus
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