Corona Devo 1973
We have a family of five
people: two parents and three kids. The Bible says that children are a
heritage, and my husband and I agree. We are family through and
through, and when we travel, we do it together, if possible.
Children
are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
(4) Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in
one’s youth. (5) Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of
them. ~Psalm 127:3-5
While traveling together, not too long ago, the nights looked very different, from one
to the next.
Together can
mean one thing for one night in a roomy woodsy-but-air-conditioned cabin with enough
(comfortable, clean) beds for each person.
And together can
mean something totally different for one night with five adult bodies in a
small, antiquated hotel room with two teeny double beds and minimal air-conditioning.
The same family, but two
different sets of accommodations on two different nights.
We were really grateful
for the night at the cabin, but the hotel room sustained a strained silence when we
tucked in for bed that night.
~~~
As I read the Bible after
our “cozy” night in the small hotel room, God refreshed my heart and reminded
me to stay guarded against envy and self-seeking (which is where the roots of my discontent came from in the hotel).
For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (18) Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. ~James 3:16-18
What God taught me today might not relate to you, but it might.
For where envy and
self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
~James 3:16
Is our discontent/unhappiness/lack-of-peace
stemming from envy and self-seeking of something/someone else?
If I hadn’t been in the
comfy cabin, would the small, older hotel room really have bothered me?
But what if we could
see the error in our ways and gain God’s wisdom?
But the wisdom that
is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of
mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. ~James 3:17
What if we yielded to God’s
ways and handled life, lived life, and appreciated life in the shadow of
His righteousness?
Now the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. ~James 3:18
~~~
In the car, after packing
up from our (not so great) hotel experience, our oldest child shared that when
he was showering in the hotel…and he could get no hot water…and as water pooled
at his ankles in the non-draining tub…he was grateful.
Grateful to be on
vacation. Grateful that we have had
other overnight stays that were above this, but also grateful that we were reminded
that we are not above this kind of hotel stay (we’re not).
We’re blessed. And if we get too spoiled
to be grateful…then we are missing out on God’s blessings and not honoring the One
who provides them to us.
Do not conform to
the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his
good, pleasing and perfect will.
(3) For by the grace
given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly
than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance
with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ~Romans 12:2-3
~~~
Wherever we sleep
tonight, let’s be grateful for a bed, a bunk, a blanket, or a mat. And many will lay their heads down on less
than that tonight.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ~James 1:17
How we react to our
surroundings and life’s situations should not hinge on comfort or
familiarity, but rather, on our trust in the Lord and our gratitude to the
Giver of all things.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8:28
Forgive us, Father when
we lose sight of who we are…and who You are.
Amen.
Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. (2) Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. (3) Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. ~James 5:1-3
Blessings,
Sarah
https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com
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