Posted in Gods Work

Hi to all!  I wanted to first share how much it has meant to have so much support from my blogger friends through this time of sorrow and happiness.  The hubby and I first broke down over his mom's condition and her being in her end days.  Once the Pastor shared the joyous part of death and my mind began thinking that she is spending Christmas with Jesus, my heart lightened.  I shared my thoughts with the hubby and he had the same reaction I did.  We both felt elated that she suffers no more and will be spending the season in the most glorious of all places. 

We have had some odd reactions to our disposition over the event.  People seem amazed that we aren't overly sad and down trodden over her passing.  I shared this with a friend of mine who commented that society focuses on the earthly factor of death, while the joyous part is overlooked and looked down upon.   Kind of twisted, in my mind. 

On to other thoughts.  I was over at Jenig's blog this evening and read a wonderful post.  She brought to light the idea that we are to live as Christ lived, think as Christ thought, behave as Christ behaved.  This accomplished by allowing God to work through you and hone the love traits. 

This fit so nicely with the study of the love traits that the hubby and I have been working on with our Pastor.  While none of us are perfect, it is only with God's help that we can grow in Christ's image.  God, in His infinite wisdom, has made things fairly easy in some aspects.  Whatever it is that we are dealing with, parenting, spouse, clerk at the store, schooling, decision making, etc. the love traits all coincide with one another.  For example, if you are going to be faced with dealing with a difficult person, following God's perfect outline for acting appropriately will pull you through.  This is a fantastic experience.  When a conflict occurs you wait (patience).  While you are waiting (instead of reacting immediately from emotion) you are fact finding.  You finish the conflict by using compassion, gentleness and kindness amongst other things to make your point.  That's it. 

It is popular to continue to debate issues with people who are in conflict.  As soon as your blood begins to boil, that is when you need to call out to the Lord to help you through the process, or using the love traits will not come.  Oh, how many times I have let my "pot boil over" without calling out to Him.  So weak am I in this area.  However, I was speaking about a conversation I had with a family member today.  This family member is someone I must have a relationship with, yet I have no respect for and operates from self only.  Growing up with this, I was trained to fall to manipulation and the emotional ties that go with that.  I have been praying and working with God on tackling this issue.  I have felt ever so unsuccessful.  Yet, when I spoke of my conversation with this person my Pastor commented that I had handled the situation with grace by using the love traits and that this was the second time in the last few weeks I had done so.  When he pointed to my success and growth, I said, "Do you get a point where you can recognize the success, because I sure don't feel like I have made progress." 

He made a point to say that each time you use God's process, even a little, you are a step closer to Christ.  So hey, even my baby stumble counts!  WOW~  Throughout the evening I had been thinking about it.  This family member called again.  I listened and heard the manipulation.  I could see clearly.  In short, I had mentioned earlier that she was welcomed to join us for a family outting tomorrow night.  She had responded at the time that she needed to check with her husband.  When she called later, she said they were available.  Then the guilt and manipulation kicked in.  The second part of the availability was "if we wanted them there."  This was followed by a comment that her husband had suggested that we might not want them to take part in the outting. 

As soon as she mentioned "If we wanted them there," I began my little prayer.  God answered swiftly.  I did not address the guilt driven comments.  I simply stated that we would be meeting at this time and if they would like to join us that would be nice.  Crisis overted!  Just like that.  Being in consistent study opens ones eyes WIDE.  As Jenig said, it can be easy to be cynical and critical.  However, by using Christ as my reference point, I knew that I needed to exercise gentleness, yet stand my ground.  I had never known in my upbringing or young adult years that one could be faced with controversy and respond in such a gentle manner, and yet still have gotten the point across. 

Perhaps by my growth and life in Christ, my example will be set for others.  The article that Jenig equates the process to cultivation, planting, and reaping or CPR!  How neato an anacronym is that?  My Pastor did the cultivating and planting with me, and now the benefits are being reaped.  But its the reaping that is the most unbelievable. 

My Pastor reaps the benefit of witnessing my growth as God works through me.  I reap the benefit of the same growth.  My family reaps the benefits from seeing my growth.  Those around me will notice the changes and thus reap the benefits of not only me, but perhaps to inquire about the changes.  While they are reaping, I will ahve the opportunity to cultivate.  Oh how my silo spilleth over! 

These are my thoughts.