Posts from — July 2009

There is a time in ones life when we don’t deserve to be loved, we don’t deserve to be forgiven, or we don’t deserve to be accepted; but in spite of all of our weaknesses, shortcomings, and lack of grace or character development someone else rises above the human plane and loves us just where we are.  It is with a deep gratitude and a newly founded humbleness within us that we muster up the strength to pick ourselves up, rebuild our lives, repair our relationships, and somehow manage to put our life back on track.

 

Then as time goes by and the years drift in and out, life has a way of bringing the same type of scenario back to the home plate in our life.  However, this time — for a lack of a better explanation — the shoes are now on the reverse feet.  One can’t figure it out; One doesn’t know why; It’s deja vu; How could this be or how could this have happened?  These were people we have known for a lifetime; folks we have loved; people we have trusted; people who had guided us — the ones that we had relied upon those many many years ago.  In any event, this time we are finding ourselves on the other end of the equation.  Life is asking us to be the accepter, the forgiver, the person of compassion.

 

This is a challenge.  This is where the rubber meets the road!  Will we be able to return the favor, the grace, the pardon that we too didn’t deserve so many years ago and be that kind of individual who rises up above this human plane and loves others and accepts others just where they are?

 

One might be thinking, “Yeah but I don’t have all of the answers, Yeah but I don’t understand, Yeah but they should have known better by now - they’re older,  or I think they know what they are doing.”  If we are waiting for all of the questions to be answered, if we are waiting till we understand, if we are waiting till someone fesses up to what they should know; then perhaps Jesus should have waited to go to the cross a couple of thousand years later.

 

Romans 5:6-8 … at just the right time…Christ died for the ungodly.

Luke 6:37…Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

 

Till the next time, this is the Voice of Joyce signing off…….

Proverbs 15:13-15  A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance:  He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

 

Ecclesiastes 2:24  There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good labour.

 

1Timothy 6:6-8  Godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and rainment let us be therewith content.

 

Hebrews 13:5  Be content with such things as ye have:  for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 

There is no other way to define the word contentment; but to let God Himself define this word.  To know God, to believe God, to rely upon God, to be filled with and led by the Spirit of God — these produce contentment.  No more chasing the wind, no more desiring the things that don’t last, Proverbs 14:14  A good man shall be satisfied from himself.

 

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:  every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

 

Contentment:   There is no price tag on “peace of mind”.

 

Till the next time, this is the Voice of Joyce signing off…….