"be
transformed by the renewing of your mind." ~ Romans 12:2
Several
years ago, as a white elephant gag gift, I gave my nephew a bundle of
sticks for Christmas. I'm sure I gave him another gift earlier in the
day, but he only remembers the sticks and this season told his mother
that the worst Christmas he ever had was when his aunt gave him
sticks. At the time, nobody said anything to me about it as it was in
the spirit of the giving at that time, but I sure heard about it
through the grapevine this year!
As
I thought about it, I wondered if perhaps his focus on the negative
aspects of the sticks was a reflection of some guilt on his part. I
also thought of the opportunities he wasted because he only focused
on the negative instead of the positive. How many times do I do that
too, when somebody hurts my feelings?
You've
heard the saying "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!"
As I pondered this, I wondered what wounds I could sweeten up? I
could open my hand and let the negative flow out and turn my hand to
make something better from it. Humm! Sticks, creative opportunities
here! They could be burned to keep
me warm, made into a log-type birdhouse, made into chew toys for
rodents or large birds, chipped to make paper for cards, etc.
Prayer:
Lord, I pray for forgiveness and grace between nephew and me. Renew
our minds too. Amen!
Today's Quote:
"I'd like to encourage you take off your blinders and see the
whole spectrum of possibilities." ~ Annie Lockhart.
