Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:9 "Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor."

I grew up in a family of seven children. Dad worked hard in the steel mill, and he provided for us although we were not wealthy. There were times, however, that the mill would go on strike and we were barely scraping by. It never stopped my Mom and Dad from inviting a surprise guest to join us for meals. I am not proud of the fact that silently I hoped the guests would decline the invitation so we could have our share. I was angry when they accepted.

My selfishness centered in my myopic vision. I saw the less than abundant table for so many of us, and saw not enough for me. I was not concerned for my brothers and sisters, though I should have been. I was totally selfish and felt horrible that I was so.

It took many years for me to get my vision corrected. It happened slowly over time. I began to be thankful for what I did have instead of seeing how little I had. Thanksgiving was my corrective lens that gave me a clearer picture of my blessings. I received blessings so that I could bless others! Sharing is a greater blessing besides!

I can be honest in saying that I still sometimes hold back out of selfish fear that I won't have what I need, or is it want? I have learned that I am changing and my failures can be forgiven. I only need to keep my thanksgiving lenses on everyday and all day to make a difference in my blessings.

Father, You are generous and giving even when it hurts. You are wise to command that we give. My life has not always seen or followed Your wisdom. Forgive me! Thank You for blessing me with the tools to learn this lesson. Thank You for teaching me to give thanks for the big and small, for the easy and for the very difficult things that come into my life. It is thanksgiving to You that helps me trust You. Keep working on my heart, o Lord. Remind me to be thankful especially when I don't feel grateful.

Self-Centeredness

Selfishness is a cruel dictator over my life. It demands constant attention and the awareness of my comfort and my desires. Escaping from its dungeon is near impossible without supernatural powers from a greater King.

The newborn is totally self-centered. Life revolves around his needs and wants. Maturity is part of the process of being released from egos' stranglehold. We must learn to wait, be denied, share and even tell ourselves "No." Though this process is a moving away from self as the center, the completion of the process cannot happen without another person or Deity to be set up as the central focus of our lives.

No human could fill the center of my life because all fall short of perfection. There are man -made gods or fallen angels that exert their control whenever possible, but they, too, are imperfect. There is only One who could and should be centered in our lives.

I, myself, cannot choose wisely for my life in every circumstance. I do not have all-knowing capabilities and certainly cannot control everything that influences my life. Because of this it is imperative that I give someone else the central position in my life. My maturity relies on the right choice of whom it shall be.

God, the Father and Creator of all things is my choice. He alone knows, loves and gives out of wisdom and goodness. He alone has proven His right to be the center of each life. He has humbled Himself and voluntarily became less so that we could be more. It is only right that we now become less so that He can become more!

My prayer today is that He will increase in me and that I will decrease.

Gimmies

The Gimmies will get you
If you don't watch out!
The Gimmies are ugly.
You don't want them about.
They get in your eyes
So you want all you see.
They get in your mouth
And shout, "Give it to me!"
And if you don't get it
You whine and you cry
Till we all hear you
And ask ourselves, "Why?"
A sweet little child
Let the Gimmies come out
'Cause having the Gimmies
Is foolish, no doubt!