Living in peace
I've recently taken a bit of a break from the blog, as we have had multiple construction projects happening at our home, a new crazy, huge puppy, our youngest son graduating college, I've acquired a new volunteering position, all the grand babies to love on, training for and completing my latest 1/2 marathon and SO much more. Yea, I needed a little break lol. A special thank you for your patience and to those that have checked in on me during the break. I appreciate you SO much!
Meanwhile, I have great news! I am currently in the midst of brainstorming a fun, fresh new direction for this website and blog. You will see changes very soon and I am still so passionate and excited to share the living Word of the Lord with you, while infusing some interactive fun to the site!
But today I felt called to share a beautiful scripture and thought with you. I was reading one of my favorite chapters, Psalms 139, and was struck with an interesting perspective that I found quite eye opening.
In Psalm 139:23,24 it says:
"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
These two verses are packed with goodness I could dissect, but today what stood out to me is, "see if there is any offensive way in me..." Interesting...
Often, we find ourselves being offended by others, victims of carelessness or unkindness from other sinful people. But when is the last time we took a deep and honest inventory of how WE make OTHERS feel?
Do we speak quickly before we pause to think about how our words are being received? Personally, my mind moves so quickly sometimes that I say something, but it falls out of my mouth before I can fine tune it to be received as I mean it. It's still a learning process for me that gets better every day, but I continue to ask the Lord to "keep watch over the doorway of my mouth." (Psalm 141:3)
In addition, do we think about not only what we say, but how we say it? Our tone of voice? Our facial expressions? Our actions, especially around those who may not believe exactly as we do? Do we think about what we think about, so as to not be offensive to our Creator with our thoughts or actions?
If and when we are offensive to someone else, are we doing everything we can to clear it up and remain in peace with everyone for as much as we can control? (Romans 12:18)
Today is a great day to pause and ask God to "Search me. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." And of course, as always, we want to take notice to how God is moving in and around us in answer to that prayer.
Have a beautiful day and as always.... stay encouraged!
