It was Saturday morning, we were very tired because Friday night was a late night filled with fun activities. The kids played at grandma's and Tim and I went to the movies to see the new Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian. Things weren't going well between us. I think the more people you have living in your home, we have 8, the more likely you are to have disagreements and annoyances between them. Factor in sleepiness and it's a recipe for disaster. At one point, we were all bickering amongst ourselves when the phone rang. My husband reached over picked up the receiver and in his most pleasant tone said, "hello". Well, to that I burst out laughing. You see, I've done that on more than one occasion myself. At my house we call it "putting on your game face".
It served a good purpose to break the bad mood in our house and we talked about how we can treat our own family with such disrespect sometimes and yet always treat the strangers in our lives with grace. Why is it like this? Does it have to be like this?
The answer to the first question is: James 4:1(CEV) Why do you fight and argue with each other? Isn't it because you are full of selfish desires that fight to control your body?
The answer to the second question is "no". Romans 12:10-18(CEV) Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself. Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. Take care of God's needy people and welcome strangers into your home. Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them. When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad. Be friendly with everyone. Don't be proud and feel that you are smarter than others. Make friends with ordinary people.Don't mistreat someone who has mistreated you. But try to earn the respect of others,
and do your best to live at peace with everyone.
Based on these verses, we have some work to do in our house. We also should be praying for honor and peace in our home on a daily basis. I've always thought that you are only as good as you treat your loved ones. How are you treating yours? let's all work today to make peace with everyone, remembering to ask God for His help!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Game Face
Posted by Sonya Lee Thompson at 6:00 AM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I think we've all done the phone thing! But I'm glad it was a tension breaker at your house. And what great verses! I especially like the wording (CEV version) of the second text. Sometimes I different version of the bible can really bring a text to life in a whole new way.
Thanks for sharing.
Exactly the reason (I think) that I've been signing my notes and letters with "peace for the journey" for over a decade now.
We experience so little of it! It's possible, but it only comes with deliberate intention and a bent knee.
What a great word for me today. This is going to be one crazy, chaotic week.
peace~elaine
Thanks for the reminder Sonya!
Everyone is tired, stressed and grumpy at my house at the moment. I'm married to a farmer who is trying to sow crop with very little rain. He is working round the clock to make the most of what little moisture there is.
So, we could all be a little more gracious toward one another, and it may as well start with me!
Post a Comment