Galatians 6:9-10 NKJV
The Beginning, Part 2
Do you ever get discouraged? More specifically, do you get discouraged about trying to do the right thing? Or even knowing what the right thing is?
I sure do.
More specifically, I get discouraged when I see others “get away with” something that is directly contrary to scripture. When that happens, I struggle within myself about whether I am judging someone (because I hate being judged).
When that happens, I try to think of what my dad would say to me, or more to the point how he would look at me.
My dad was a man of few words, so by the time I was an adult, he would just look at me...and I knew what he was thinking.
I knew it because he had probably told me at least a hundred times. He had one word “sayings” that were a reminder of stories he had told me.
He also had specific “looks” that told me what he was thinking. Not only did his “look” tell me what I needed to know, they also made me laugh. They were pretty funny.
See, when I was a young pastor’s wife and something or someone would confront me about what had happened at church (usually about something my children had done), I would talk to my dad. Most of the time it was something I had already dealt with personally with my kids, but I would talk with him about my residual feelings.
I was usually frustrated that people (usually women) thought it was their mission in life to tell me how to discipline my children.
Galatians 6:9-10 says, “We must not become tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time if we do not give up. When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.”
The people who took me aside to tell me how to handle my children were NOT helping me and my dad knew that.
Because of my experiences years ago, I approach young mothers in a different way.
I do not give advice.
If they are frustrated to the point of tears and they look to me for help, I either pray for them or I tell them something that will help and encourage them.
For instance, if it’s a young mother who is dealing with a strong-willed child (which I had), I tell them, “I see you have a budding CEO in your care.”
That usually makes them relax and laugh.
The best part of doing good is doing actual GOOD. I want to help without judging or criticizing. The people who gave me a mean look or said something to criticize me when my three young boys were punching each other in the grocery store were not helpful. The people who gave me those small words of encouragement when I was a young mother are still a ‘bright spot’ in my life today.
There were plenty of people who praised my daughter (she was the oldest and she didn’t engage in “punching”) but that was a given. Encouraging one another in a difficult situation takes more finesse and care.
Lastly, I am reminded that doing good sometimes takes more time and prayer.
Take the time. It’ll be worth it.
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Do Good
Take the time to pray and ask God what one good thing He has for you give someone today. It will bless both of you.
In God, Deborah
acrazyjourney.com