The Ultimate Attitude Checker…
One day I arrived home from work to find a vehicle blocking my drive and people gathering around. This was not atypical. Our home was on a corner and our driveway had become a gathering place for the neighbors. It annoyed me because they would block our driveway inhibiting me from pulling in. On this day, I was confronted with that scenario. My initial response was not holy. I shrugged my shoulders, rolled my eyes, and let down my window to ask them to move. THANKFULLY, before I spoke, a young lady said, “We hit a deer and just pulled over to assess the damage.”
I was convicted. I prejudged the situation and made assumptions about the people standing around. Then, because of my wrong judgment, I had a bad attitude. This type of thing happens a lot among people. We judge situations and people without having the facts. While we may not be able to have the facts all the time, as Christians we have an Advocate who can help us. The Holy Spirit leads and guides us into all righteousness. He imparts knowledge, brings things back to our remembrance and gives us discernment. We can lean on Him to assist us in the times we are unsure. I should have asked Him for help. Had I simply taken to the time to ask God to help me, He would have. I could have handled that situation a lot better, giving that family what they needed at the time—compassion, not attitude.
Interestingly, a few years later, I was invited to speak at a church in our community. They were celebrating with an annual Mother’s Day Program, and I was the keynote speaker. Can you guess who was in the audience? Yes, this same family that I had been so ugly with. After service was over, they told me who they were. Unlike me, they were very compassionate, and shared how much they enjoyed the message. UNBELIEVABLE!
Friends, I’ve now learned to be prayerful in all things. I am intentional about keeping a song in my heart and a prayer on my lips. Doing this, I am more apt to pray if something pops off. Scripture teaches us to be slow to anger (Proverbs 15:18), slow to speak, and quick to listen (James 1:19). Can you agree that the world would be a more peaceful place if we all adhered to this? Will you join me in working to do better? We can’t do it alone. It takes the help of the Holy Spirit. There is only one way to get the Holy Spirit: ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. Simply agree with Him that we are sinners and that we need a Savior. Next, repent (turn) and be godly sorrowful for our sins. He promises that He will hear our prayer (Romans 10:9-10, 13). Then, pray and seek out a church where you can learn, grow, and work in the spiritual gift(s) given to you.
Friends, if you asked Jesus to be your Savior, I would love to hear from you. Contact me! But if we never meet on this side, I’ll see you in heaven:).
For God’s Glory,
Tahnee
I enjoyed your words! Thankyou for sharing.