Monday Devotional.......9/12/16

Good Morning.....

We as a church family have been through a very trying week, Our precious Kaleb, grandson of our pastor, was hit by a car last Sunday, He went to be with the Lord early Monday morning. We were collectively heartbroken for his family. 

However, yesterday was an amazing day! We had already planned our church picnic, and we had one service planned as well. It was just what we needed to bring us together,,,everyone in the same service and a day of togetherness. The spirit of the day was amazing...food by Texas Roadhouse, a volleyball sand area and lots of activities. Kaleb was in our hearts and on our minds. At the end of the day we had prayer. We were grouped in fives and sixes and prayed about our country remembering "9/11." Our final prayer was in a large circle where we prayed for Kaleb's family,...his parents and sister, his grandparents. and his uncle and aunt and two cousins. We left feeling very blessed to be a part of this Church family.

Next week we will attend Kaleb's Memorial wearing blue and pink ribbons (Kaleb's favorite colors) and celebrate his life with tears in our eyes.

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Today's Devotional is titled, "Our Father is Kind" and was written by Mary Wilkins. I love it that she gives a rule of thumb for behavior. It is based on the childhood habit of smiling at people who seemed to be a tad grumpy. Mary wrote about her actions being very intentional and I quote, "Interestingly, the person would often look to see who I belonged to and then would give my mother a smile, too." A smile can be contagious.
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"Our Father is Kind"

As a little girl, my mother has told me, I seemed to seek out grumpy people at the grocery store, and after making eye contact, I would give them my biggest smile. She has described my actions as very intentional and that she didn't encourage or discourage me. Interestingly, the person would often look to see who I belonged to and then would give my mother a smile, too. 

Studies have been done that confirm that something as simple as a friendly smile can change a person's emotional status and by doing that end up changing their whole outlook on the day. I think I care about other people and wish everyone could have a good day today. But as I look at how I behave in the grocery store now, I am very intentional at avoiding people who appear to be grumpy or upset.

Is God bringing this to my attention so that I will smile more, make eye contact, and speak kindly to strangers? Then this verse came to my attention:

Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior:

 Ask yourself what you want people to do for you;

 then grab the initiative and do it for them!

 If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back?

 Run-of-the-mill sinners do that.

 If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal?

 Garden-variety sinners do that.

If you only give for what you hope to get out of it,

 do you think that’s charity?

 The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.

I tell you, love your enemies.

 Help and give without expecting a return.

You’ll never—I promise—regret it.

 Live out this God-created identity

 the way our Father lives toward us,

 generously and graciously,

even when we’re at our worst.

 Our Father is kind; you be kind.

Luke 6:31-36 MSG

Dear Lord, thank You for the reminder that I can minister to other's while going about my every day routine and responsibilities. Please help me to remember that rejection, or the fear of rejection, is no excuse. My confidence is in You. It is You that I live for, and You who are watching over me. As long as I am doing what Your Word is leading me to do - I do not need to fear the people, or their reactions. In Jesus name, amen.

If you hear Love calling you, listen to Britt Nicole perform "The Lost Get Found": 

Written by 

Mary M. Wilkins   

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Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.

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