Make a Difference
We ALL want to make a positive difference in this world – right?
One way to make a difference
is simply to be kind and helpful!
But there is no “simply” about that.
It takes a concerted effort sometimes
to respond with kindness.
Our natural, almost automatic, first response
when someone is being mean or unkind to us
is to snap back…
at least that’s the way it used to be with me.
It has taken me 80 years of living to learn to guard my tongue!
And sometimes, even now it gets the best of me.
But I usually am quick to realize it when that happens,
and I am never reluctant to ask for forgiveness.
The problem is sometimes
I am too self-centered to even realize
I have hurt someone with my words!!
That never happen to you, does it?
I guess I’m not perfect yet.
Are you?
Another way to make a difference is simply to plant love.
But there is no “simply” about that either.
Sometimes the seeds
of adversity and division
get the best of me.
I watch something on TV
or I read something in a magazine or newspaper
that is hateful or just plain false and deceptive.
And I let that simmer in my soul.
I want to lash out at the TV person
or rip up the newspaper.
But surely that never happens to you!
Just Love One Another
Love Everyone!
It’s easy to say, but ever so hard to do!
But if we want to make a positive difference in this world,
it has to be all about
LOVE
first and foremost!
Be Forgiving of Yourself
Even when we try hard,
we may not always be
the loving person
God intended us to be.
But we can make a difference
if we learn to forgive ourselves
for those
mistakes of character.
Others see and are encouraged
by our ability to overcome!
Be Forgiving of Others
Another way to make a difference in this world
is simply to be forgiving of others.
But there is no “simply about that either.
Sometimes I want to use a “mad” icon.
“Sad” just doesn’t do it.
It’s not enough.
I want to show the world
that what was said or done just makes me angry.
But anger never solved any of this world’s problems.
It only exacerbates them, ya know?
Forgive the ones who anger you,
Pray for your understanding of their position.
Try to figure out where they’re coming from.
Forgive their ignorance (hah!)!
Disagree without being disagreeable!
Be a PeaceMaker
And yet another way
to make a positive difference in this world
is to be a PEACEMAKER!
- Pray daily for the wisdom,
- love,
- patience,
- kindness,
- goodness,
- faithfulness,
- gentleness,
- self-control,
- humility,
- generosity,
- forgiveness,
- obedience to God,
- and the humility
that it takes to be a peacemaker,
and to make a positive difference in this world.
It’s not a task for the Lone Ranger,
the Lone Stranger,
or the Lone YOU!
It takes the LOVE of the
HOLY SPIRIT
working in you.
Know that God is your heart…
so
Pay attention to His Leading!
He will always lead you to
Love,
Peace,
and
Making a Positive Difference!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
I’m headed off to TOPS.
(Those are my friends who help me keep the weight off.
They make a difference in my life!)
See ya tomorrow.
