How are we deal with mistakes, sins and hurtful ways of others?
What is going to be our attitude? What is going to be our mindset?
Galatians 6:1 gives the guidelines from the Living Word of God
We are to gently restore those who sin.
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1
This relates, to sins, mistakes, any kind of failure.
“Mom, I know I am going to be leaving soon when I graduate from college. I have seen the way you light up whenever we give you flowers. I would like to create flower beds for you.” My son Alex and I stood by the lamp post in our front yard as we chatted.
He continued, “You could pick out the flowers you want but in addition to seasonal flowers, we can also plant perennials so they will come up year after year.” His excitement grew as we talked. I looked around. The trees had begun to bud and the soft green of early spring reassured us that winter had gone. It was indeed time to think about spring time planting.
Riches in Unexpected Places
Long lines of people wrapped around the store while we checked and bagged hour after hour. I had taken a job in addition to guest (substitute) teaching to supplement my income at a local thrift store.
We had a birthday sale with everything 50% off at the Potter’s House thrift store.
The demands were intense and stressful but I had so many special moments and blessings. I saw people from the community I haven’t seen in a long time. One friend came up and held out her hand to pat me affectionately.
“Hi Mrs. Gibson,” a couple of sixth grade girls waved at me as I walked down the hall. I had an assignment as a substitute teacher for 6th grade science.
“What are you guys doing? Are you having a party?” I noticed all the kids in the classroom over lunch.
“No, we’re part of the kindness squad.”
“Kindness squad? What is the kindness squad?”
“We do kind things. We have two groups. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we do different kindness projects.” They pointed to the classroom.
“That sounds awesome! What kind of kind things do you do?”
An online friend of mine had her mail scattered all a long a county road. She and her husband had been expecting some large retirement checks. She had to put a hold on her mail, notify the bank, and the company who issued the checks. When she faced some of the complications,
the adversity threw her mind and heart into a turmoil. She asked for advice in our Facebook group.
“How do you calm yourself and recenter after a storm?”
This is a good question because we all have storms of life that come our way at times. She recorded a video and shared, “I hope I’m not whining because I don’t usually complain but this situation threw me.”
“Mom, I have a surprise for you! An out of town guest is coming and they want to surprise you this weekend. You will be very happy to see them.” My son Alex kept this up for several days. I searched my brain over and over trying to figure out who could possibly be so important.
I agreed to meet them at his dad’s house totally puzzled as to who it could be. When I walked in, my mouth dropped open in shock!
“I’ve been in the hospital for several days and am now home. I had an asthma attack that I could not handle.”
Since she is in her eighties, this especially concerned me. “I didn’t know. I’m so sorry to hear this!”
“Thank you, but I see God’s purposes in it. I got to pray with some nurses and the Lord revealed some things to me while I lay there in my hospital bed.”
