"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:16, 17, 22
Live by the Spirit...how often I fail.
On Monday my daughter and I were putting Daytona and Elmo on the pasture. Well, a make shift pasture, our trail that is fenced on either side with two large logs across the ends to block them in, the last remaining bit of grass. It's been so dry here, we haven't had a real good dumping of rain in over eight weeks. I led Elmo and Charissa led Daytona, Daytona went in no problem so Charissa left to get a bucket of water. Well stubborn Elmo refused to go in and so I struggled with him, it was hot and I was so sick of this heat and I was getting cranky. I held him, tried to move the logs to give him more space to get in but he still refused, I pushed and pulled...he wasn't going any where. Charissa came with the water and in my frustration I yelled at her about helping me with this stupid donkey. I'm not even sure what I all said but as soon as the words came out of my mouth I knew I had blown it.
I was frustrated and was looking to blame someone. She should have known Elmo would be stubborn since we'd had a tough time putting him in the day before, she should have stayed to help, etc. The ugliness of my character had shown through in a moment of frustration. How often it is that we look for someone to blame when we're frustrated or angry...we're always looking for a scapegoat out there...when the real one we should be looking at is ourselves. I'm responsible for how I respond. This wasn't Charissa's fault, it was what it was...a stubborn donkey. A little test towards my character and how I would respond.
I had failed and was reminded of the following quote...
I apologized to Charissa for yelling at her and blaming her. It's ironic, she actually made me the beautiful sign that lists the Fruit of the Spirit, it hangs in my bedroom as a reminder of how I should live each day.
My life is filled with these little tests each day. Every time there is a struggle, conflict, a wearing on my patience, a wrench thrown into my day, something not working out, etc. how will I respond...
Waiting in traffic
Waiting in the grocery line
How about when the person in front of me forgot one item and runs to get it while I wait even longer
When someone cuts me off in traffic
When I feel taken for granted
When I'm waiting and waiting to get through to Bell
To the person on the other end of the line
When the light turns green and the person in front of me doesn't notice quick enough
The grumpy cashier
The children "disrupting" my peace
The neighbour's barky dog
Waiting for my dinner order to come
Slow traffic because of construction
When someone treats me disrespectfully
How will I respond...
Will I remember that beautiful list of qualities that dwells within me because the Spirit dwells within me. Will I respond in the Spirit or will I go the easy way and respond in the flesh.
Can He trust me in the little things so He can trust me with the bigger things.
Things to be thankful for...
2389. God's beautiful creation
2390. Conversation around the campfire
2392. Card game, laughter
2395. A pair of loons and their baby
2396. Walking into a clean home bright clean floors - thanks Charissa
2397. The love of my husband
2398. My own bed
2399. Chat with Charissa
2400. Jocelyne got a new job being a nanny to twin boys
2401. Chat with Jocelyne
2402. Beautiful night sky
2403. Evening bird songs
2404. Sarah popping by for a visit
2405. Tea and bible study
2406. Cardinal song
2407. Lightening bugs outside my bedroom window
2408. Yard work with my husband
2409. Cool breezes while mowing the lawn
2410. A visit with good friends
2411. Lightening across the evening sky
2412. The sound of rain through my bedroom window
2413. Grocery shopping with Charissa
2414. Charissa out riding Daytona
2415. Summer breezes
2416. Walk to the Frink Centre with Charissa
2417. Visit with my cousin, her husband and their daughter
2418. Family, laughter in the night
2419. Cooler day
2420. Visit with my husband's mom
2421. Chore help from Alexandrea
2422. Refreshing morning walk with a friend up the road
2423. My son's heart
2425. Cool night for sleeping
2426. Visit to the sales barn and lunch out with my nieces and Alexandrea
2429. Two foxes running around in the horse paddock
2430. God's steadfast love
2431. A new day
2432. Breezes on a hot day
2434. Morning chat with Charissa
2435. Cooler day
2436. Beautiful clouds in the evening sky
2437. Movie night with the girls
2438. Bible study with friends
2439. Leaves shimmering in the summer breezes
2440. Downpour
2442. Charissa home for the weekend
2446. Lily's smiles
2447. Divine moments, God speaking
2448. Cousin's watching out for each other
2449. Late evening chat with Jocelyne
2450. Cool morning
2451. BBQ and fellowship with friends
2452. My husband's obedience and courage
2453. The wind
2454. Laughter with Matt
2456. Quiet night
2457. Beautiful cool morning
2458. Chat with Jocelyne and Charissa
2459. Morning walks with friends
2460. My son's kindness
2461. Murphy is back
2462. Vulnerability
2463. Brothers and sisters in Christ
2464. Unique photography opportunity
2465. Hearts shared
2466. Dinner out with friends
2467. Stormy night skies, sheets of lightening
2468. Beautiful hotel room
2469. Time spent with youth from the northern Canada
2470. A walk through Ottawa by the canal
2471. Summer breezes on a hot day
2472. Barefoot on the lush green grass, cool on my feet
2473. Kids having fun at the lake
2474. All my kids home
2475. Cousins hanging out
2478. Morning rain and thunderstorm
2479. My husband's wisdom and love
2480. Honesty
2481. Conversations about Jesus with Aliyah
2483. Cool morning
2484. Job completed
2485. Gently falling rain
2486. Thunder and lightening
2487. Card game with Aliyah
2488. Chat with Will before he heads to Germany
2489. Will and Matt's safe arrival to Germany
2490. Visit with Amanda and Ryan
2491. Reid's Dairy and a walk by the Bay with everyone
2492. Charissa home for the long weekend
2493. Visit with a friend
2494. Dan, Jocelyne and Aliyah home safe
2495. Small group sharing and prayer time
2496. Grocery shopping with Charissa
2497. Charissa out fishing with her dad and Kayla
2498. Quiet afternoon
2499. The smell of rain...only a few drops :-(
2500. Charissa out for a ride on Daytona
2501. The GREATNESS of our God
2502. Worship
2503. Ice cream cone on a hot day
2504. Country drive
2505. Hanging out with the nieces
2506. Forgiveness
2507. Will and Matt are back in Ontario
2508. Matt home, sharing stories from Germany
2509. The beauty of dew up close on blades of grass
2490. Visit with Amanda and Ryan
2491. Reid's Dairy and a walk by the Bay with everyone
2492. Charissa home for the long weekend
2493. Visit with a friend
2494. Dan, Jocelyne and Aliyah home safe
2495. Small group sharing and prayer time
2496. Grocery shopping with Charissa
2497. Charissa out fishing with her dad and Kayla
2498. Quiet afternoon
2499. The smell of rain...only a few drops :-(
2500. Charissa out for a ride on Daytona
Elmo's sadness at being left behind :-(
2501. The GREATNESS of our God
2502. Worship
2503. Ice cream cone on a hot day
2504. Country drive
2505. Hanging out with the nieces
2506. Forgiveness
2507. Will and Matt are back in Ontario
2508. Matt home, sharing stories from Germany
2509. The beauty of dew up close on blades of grass
Lily is precious and growing so fast!
ReplyDelete