gez...louise

today's reading/reflection  from the Word Among Us

        Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly
        and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully
                       2 Corinthians 9:6
         "If God has given us any gift at all
         we should use it up for others
         even if we feel inadequate or lacking"

and that's where I get stuck
I feel inadequate...
not enough
not gifted...

last week when I shared how I'd been feeling lately

Louise in her wisdom put up her hand and said "stop"!
no sweet listening ear face
but an emphatic
"we all must just stop comparing ourselves to each other
...no more she does this, and this and that...
just live out the gifts we have
the best we can"

it hit me perfectly between the ears
after just having read the Galations fruit reading
the first part we all love and know so well
             the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace,
             longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
             faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...
but do we ever read on to the end of that chapter?
            ...if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
            ...Let us not... envy one another

I think the Holy Spirit is trying to work envy; covetousness
out of my life

Let your conduct be without covetousness
be content with such things as you have
For He Himself has said
"I will never leave you
nor forsake you"
                 Hebrews 13:5
another interesting juxtaposition of ideas?!?!
...be content with whatever you have
because....
He will never leave nor forsake

what more could you 'want'....

I know He has worked out covetousness before
in the material world, with possessions...
consuming
(continues to work it out!?)
.
but this has to do with spiritual giftedness

I tend NOT to recognize my giftedness

I fail regularly
at recognizing God's gift
           that He loves....
           is love
           and has given His only Son...
           that we might have life...
I have life....
and if that is my only gift it is huge...more than enough!

as long as I have life to live
all He asks is for me to share and give 
...that wonderful gift
graciously
and bountifully....

But I constantly need to be reminded that
     God loves me
      knows me
      has created me for a purpose
      and has equipped me/gifted me for that purpose
      and that He will accomplish His purpose

maybe we all need reminded...

...but exhort one another daily
while it is called "Today"
lest any of you be hardened
through the deceitfulness of sin
           Hebrews 3:13
 
...let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth
but what is good for necessary edification
that it may impart grace to the hearers
            Ephesians 4:29-32
 
....and from the wedding this weekend
As the elect of God
holy
and beloved
put on tender mercies
kindness
humility
meekness
longsuffering
bearing with one another
and forgiving one another
if anyone has a coplaint against another
even as Christ forgave you
so you also must do
But above all these things
put on love
which is the bond of perfection
and
let peace of God rule in your hearts
to which also you were called in one body
and be thankful
...Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom
teaching and admonishing one another
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
singing with grace in your heart to the Lord
and whatever you do
in word
or
deed
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus
giving thanks to God the Father through Him
           Colossians 3:12-17