When GOD Corrects

You know, I really don't like it when GOD calls me on something.  Not only did I get caught, I'm embarassed that I even did that or thought that.  However, I'd much rather hear from Him than satan.  He never condemns me or tells me I'm no good because I did that.  He just says, 'I have something I want you to be aware of that you need to change.'

We deal with the public on a daily basis.  I always try to be helpful, loving, and forgiving.  But if you have to work with the public, you know your patience can wear thin.  And it builds up.

Lately, we've been getting the cheap people.  It comes in waves.  "Is it free?"  "Really, it's $3 for kids too?"  "If it was free I would do it."  And on and on.  It happens once, okay, dust yourself off and forget it.  No big deal.  And then it happens again, it's somewhat more irritating.  Next thing you know, it's several times a day and then all you notice is that it's happening all the time!  You can sense the degree of irritation mounting. 

Well, today I had about 5 or 6 middle school age kids or so come up to the machine and start checking out the rides and picking out what they might all like to do.  I was telling them about the rides and everything.  'Mom' walks up and says, "come on, let's go find the train (OMG, that's for kiddies!), or maybe the jumpy thing (the bungie jump)."  Well, I could feel the back of my neck smoulder, so I said, "We're twice as long as the jumpy thing and half the cost."  At least I wasn't too snippy about it.  She just kept walking.

For one thing, I know I was justified to be irritated in the natural because she was rude.  Godly conduct is a little different.

Proverbs 25:21-22 says, "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you."  In my mind I remember that it says to be nice to your enemy and that would heap coals of fire on their head.

As they walked away I asked GOD to bless them.  GOD promptly said, "You weren't blessing them.  You were thinking about the coals of fire." 

Busted!  Check your attitude at the door!

Love Your Enemies

Matthew 5:43-48
     "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

I love you, LORD.  Thank you for pointing that out.  Help me to change how I react to situations in my life.  Let me see again the good in people like you see them.