He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3 (NLT)

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Do not withhold

Proverbs 3:27 - Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

On Sunday I began a new read-through of the Bible.  This time

So this post isn't the post that I thought I was going to write.  This morning, after reading this verse, I had notions that this verse was tying in to the messages that my husband has been getting from Matthew 25 about feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, and other ways of providing for the "least of these."  But as the day has worn on and I've had to battle (unsuccessfully, I must add) against the distractions, I've come to realize that this verse is actually aimed right at me.


The me that spent too long on the computer this morning, even if some of it was for "good" purposes.  The me that walked past a  many pile(s) that needed to be picked up.  The me that has yet to get started on the teacher-directed part of school for the day.  The me that needs to put in a load of laundry and make lunch for the two children using their imaginations in the other room. 

The me that needs to stop withholding my best from them, from my husband, and from myself.  Because a mama who is living in the present with an eye heavenward is good.  Because they do deserve it ~ God placed them in my care.   Because it is in my power to act ~ I've just chosen not to do so when my emotions or circumstances feel overwhelming, or when I've given in to selfishness and laziness.

So for the rest of today, I will not withhold good (me, my attention, my energy, my thoughts, my love) from those who deserve it (God, my husband, my children, my friends), when it is in my power to act (which is almost always is).

3 comments:

  1. Very well said! I might have to repost...

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  2. I am with Stacy on this one. Love the word choices here....and the challenge. My heart hears yours.

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  3. I just read this again. Seriously...I love this post and its message. Thank you so much for sharing this. It is an area that I too struggle with.

    So much I need to be giving....and giving my best. And selfishness and laziness feel so good and steal the best away.

    Good....Better....Best! Thank you for the reminder that Best is what a child of God is called to.

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Thank you for joining us on today's part of the journey. Knowing that others walk beside us for a bit is such encouragement!