Sunday, March 21, 2010
Slacker...
I have been a bit of a slacker with the verse and the blog. I think we all have (based only on the posts or lack thereof haha). But, I have been noticing that I have been internalizing this verse in my life. I have found myself asking if my actions show love. When I am inpatient with a coworker, is that showing God's love? When I say complain, is that showing God's grace? When I speak, is it encouraging to the other person (and sometimes even to me)? Are the things I do done out of love because that should be my complete motivation? I wish I had been more disciplined with reading the verse and writing on the blog, but I think the little bit I have done has shown me how meditating on the same verse(s) can positively impact you long after you stop.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Think before you speak
O.K. so I have been slacking a little on my posting and even on reading the verse everyday, but I will share what God has been showing me this week. Not sure if anybody is reading the blog or not but maybe it will be therapeutic to just write it out.
All last week I have heard from different places (books, people,) the phrase "Think before you speak" and usually when I hear a phrase or a verse several times I pay extra close attention and pray about whether God is trying to say this to ME. I can't even begin to tell you how many times my mouth has gotten me in trouble this week. From just speaking too much to being critical (still trying to work on this) and hurting others feelings. It sometimes is so ridiculous that I can't even seem to help myself. Sometimes I am mid-sentence and I know that I should not be saying anything and I do it anyway. UGH!! My husband calls this diarrhea of the mouth (sorry to be so graphic) But it truly does feel Awful!
So here is my connection to the verses in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5. I have been trying to memorize this section of the verse for almost two weeks now and for some reason it's like I have had a mental block and could not get it. My girls test me on it and try to encourage me but for some reason it's been very difficult.
I believe that it God has wanted me to sit on this section of the verse for as long as I have and not move on until I get it. For me to be able to speak words of love and encouragement and get past my stronghold of criticism this verse has to move from my head into my heart. I cannot just memorize this but truly know and understand it with my heart.
I believe that not only does God want me to think before I speak about what I am going to say but to actually think about this part of the verse before I speak. If I could really understand that Love is patient, and kind that it does not envy or boast and is not proud, that it is not rude or self-seeking and keeps no record of wrongs then how different would my words actually be each time I opened my mouth. I would speak a lot less that's for sure;-)
I am so far from getting it but I do believe that God is opening my eyes to see His truth. I am so thankful that He is patient with me and never gives up. Thank you Father for your everlasting Love.
-Karen
All last week I have heard from different places (books, people,) the phrase "Think before you speak" and usually when I hear a phrase or a verse several times I pay extra close attention and pray about whether God is trying to say this to ME. I can't even begin to tell you how many times my mouth has gotten me in trouble this week. From just speaking too much to being critical (still trying to work on this) and hurting others feelings. It sometimes is so ridiculous that I can't even seem to help myself. Sometimes I am mid-sentence and I know that I should not be saying anything and I do it anyway. UGH!! My husband calls this diarrhea of the mouth (sorry to be so graphic) But it truly does feel Awful!
So here is my connection to the verses in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5. I have been trying to memorize this section of the verse for almost two weeks now and for some reason it's like I have had a mental block and could not get it. My girls test me on it and try to encourage me but for some reason it's been very difficult.
4Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
I believe that it God has wanted me to sit on this section of the verse for as long as I have and not move on until I get it. For me to be able to speak words of love and encouragement and get past my stronghold of criticism this verse has to move from my head into my heart. I cannot just memorize this but truly know and understand it with my heart.
I believe that not only does God want me to think before I speak about what I am going to say but to actually think about this part of the verse before I speak. If I could really understand that Love is patient, and kind that it does not envy or boast and is not proud, that it is not rude or self-seeking and keeps no record of wrongs then how different would my words actually be each time I opened my mouth. I would speak a lot less that's for sure;-)
I am so far from getting it but I do believe that God is opening my eyes to see His truth. I am so thankful that He is patient with me and never gives up. Thank you Father for your everlasting Love.
-Karen
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