They used to say if you want to see what's important to a person look at their checkbook. Being a banker, I know that most people don't use checkbooks anymore, but the thought is still there, you just look at their spending habits. The idea actually goes back farther than banking--want to know what's in a person's heart--look at their life.
This morning I was facing a dilemma. To attend an event to honor someone I truly want to honor means another person will expect to take advantage of me. I was actually considering not attending so I didn't have to face the "to do or not to do" of the other person. As I opened my heart to the Spirit, I said, "Lord, I really want to be Your servant. What would You have me do?" There is that popular acronym WWJD--what would Jesus do? That made the decision very simple for me. Jesus would be kind. He would be considerate. For me today, this means allowing someone to take advantage of me is a no-brainer. All it will cost me is my time. Am I enabling someone's behavior? Possibly, but that I will leave between them and God. I have been praying for the Lord to help me be a generous person and this is generosity of my time.
I truly hesitate to share my success in this with you because people don't learn from another's success. They usually just think, "Well, good for you." But what I want you to see is that I actually had to think about it--that I actually wanted to do the opposite. Therein is reality. To be quite honest, many times I have to act "as if" in order for my heart to follow. I might have to act as if I am generous in order for my heart to feel the generosity. I have to act as if I am kind in order for my heart to feel kind. There is no shame in this. I am not putting on a show for someone--I am walking my talk...letting my heart simply follow.
Comments