t! I would like to share some of Marilyn's blog from a few days ago with you! I really loved what I read and want to pass it on!
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The Standard
Recently I have been the recipient of small kindnesses and again, it makes me realize how important we are to each other. In simple ways, we can lift each other's burdens and hearts. It is easy to be kind and generous when life is good to you but much more difficult when you've been betrayed or are in the midst of the battle.
A few weeks ago I was able to teach the story of Abigail and Nabal and David from the Old Testament. The story is basically this: David and his army had been wandering (hiding from King Saul trying to kill him) in the wilderness and spent some of their time protecting the herds and flocks of a rich man named Nabal. As was custom at that time, when you would provide a service like this, you would be paid a tribute in supplies. Nabal was a wicked man and spurned the requests for compensation.
David was angry and offended and drew his sword and called his men to battle. Then off in the distance, David saw a woman approaching, with donkeys overflowing with goods. The beautiful woman, named Abigail (who was Nabal's wife) knelt down before David and said that she hadn't seen David's servants come to ask for compensation and she basically apologized for her husband's transgression and asked that his sin be taken upon her. She also plead for David's heart....that even though he had been wronged, he wouldn't sin himself by how he re-acted. What an amazing story.
Basically Abigail is a type of Christ- meaning that is exactly what Christ does for us. We need to trust that He will take care of the matter of the sinner. We need to be concerned with what happens to our spirit when we are filled with anger or revenge. God requires our hearts to be forgiving before we are given the gift of forgiveness ourselves. (one of the beatitudes.)
Another scripture in the New Testament actually calls the "reaction" sin even greater. That seems harsh but I think the point is, when we have been sinned against, or been betrayed or offended, it is really important to make sure our hearts are right toward the offender and how we conduct ourselves basically becomes "our" test. Being kind matters.... a lot.
"Be kind to all as our Father in Heaven is kind. He sends his rain upon the just and the unjust and gives the sun to shine upon the evil and the good. So let our goodness extend to all of the works of his hands, where we can but do not yield to the spirit and the influence of evil. Do not encourage wickedness in our midst". Brigham Young
"Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are". ~Author Unknown
What this world needs is a new kind of army - the army of the kind. ~Cleveland Amoryod
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Just some thoughts for a Friday morning!
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