Becoming HIS Tapestry

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BE NICE, BE VERY NICE…

Hey friends, how are you today? How was your weekend? We’re on vacation with the girls and the goal is to just have fun and enjoy each moment.  Both girls will be leaving in a few weeks and although we have spent time together, primarily due to COVID’19, we feel as if we’ve not really spent time with each other, I’m sure you know what I mean.  It’s quite beautiful here; the sun is out, the skies are clear, and we can rest assured that God has not abdicated the throne, in spite of what the circumstances around may say.

How absolutely fleeting life is, isn’t it? It’s especially difficult, in times like these, because most of us cannot be with friends and loved ones.  Here today, gone tomorrow and although we know that death isn’t exactly a ‘death sentence’, death can certainly feel like it.  Just in the past two weeks alone, death has knocked at the door of two young people from our church.  I have found that due to the sudden deaths around me, I want to hold my babies tighter. I want to make every moment count with them.  I want to make memories that will last a lifetime and provide every opportunity to enjoy life’s pleasures and experience.  Of course, I know that everlasting life begins after death and that like Paul says, ‘to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord’, which definitely brings comfort.  

I enjoy my friend, Jesusluvesall music Mondays, because I’ve come to the conclusion that there is a song for every moment.  And recently this song, ‘What’s the matter with the world?’ by Lou Rawls, comes to mind.  Of course, I only know just a few lines: ‘What’s the matter with the world, has the world gone mad?   Ain’t nothing wrong with the world, just the people that’s in it; You and me, we’re in it’.  Good song, isn’t it? And so perfect for the times in which we live. Google for the rest of the words, if you want to hear the song. It’s quite good.  

 I heard recently that there is an increase in crimes in all the major cities in our nation.  We’ve become impatient with each other. Compassion and pity have become rare, isn’t that sad? Gentleness and meekness are generally non existent. Perhaps it’s due to COVID’19 with its side effects of social distancing and stay at home orders.  

The fabric of the belief that ‘people are generally ’good’ is unraveling and not even a little at a time. The idea that we are innately good people should now be annihilated. We are not good people, friends.  Here is a secret, not even Christians are ‘good’ people.  I know, I know… absolutely shocking, but true.  We are not good people.  As Christians, the apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 7, of the struggle he endures as he attempts to do good. There is a battle going on, but we know the end of the story.  We know that success belongs to our God.  No, innately we are not good people, but because of the price our Savior paid for our salvation, through Him and because of Him, we can do good.  Not on our own, but because of the work of our Lord.  

Today, the world needs us, as Christians, to stand.  We need to stand for what we know to be true.  The Bible is true and everything else is optional.  God’s Word is the standard, not my personal likes and dislikes.  We stand on the premises of the Word of God and we do not negotiate, nor do we pick and choose what we will apply to our lives and to our circumstances. As Christians our behavioral choices are limited. The Bible has given us explicit rules of the treatment of other people.  Others matter to God.  People matter to God.  Christians are unique and are a peculiar people because we are saved by grace and because of that grace, there is ‘work’ to be done.  We are not special because of what we’ve done, but rather, because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross.  God loves people and as Christians, we cannot do any less.  Let’s keep an eye on the attitude. Let’s not neglect people, let’s choose to represent the Lord well, because the world needs that.  Let’s show them a different way, let’s give them the Answer to the problems they face.  Let’s show love because we know LOVE.  Let’s walk consciously; the world is watching.

Are you Okay? How are you doing?

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38 responses to “BE NICE, BE VERY NICE…”

  3. First, may I add my sympathy to that of others, knowing the grief you are carrying for two families in your church. I am so sorry for your tragic loss. / The end of your post reminded me of the way Paul ended a number of his letters: with instructions for living the Christian life in ways that most benefit us, and most impact others. Seven statements beginning with “Let’s “offer strong challenge,” and by the time you finished I was ready to shout, “YES! Let’s do this!!” You are a delightful cheerleader for God and his kingdom, Brenda!

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    • Thank you 🙏🏽 for this highest compliment; to our Great and Mighty God be all the glory. These circumstances along with the sudden death of close friends can hit hard, but even in this, we seek comfort and safety under the arms of our Lord

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  4. This is apt!. We have to be intentional as God’s children to shine our light to the world and be a worthy example of love on display. 📌
    Thank you for sharing ma’am.
    Trust you are having a great time too?. 😊

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  5. Sorry for the loss of your friends. I know it’s hard letting the girls go but you seem to be so strong in your Faith and as a woman so you will be okay. Enjoy your time. Your post was so touching and so on time for the tough times we’re facing right now. God wants us to pay attention to Him and not what we want. He wants us all to put Him first and with that comes everything else! Bless you and your family my friend.

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  8. Brenda,
    Until just recently I worked in customer service positions in retail (cashier/sales associate). For some time I felt as though there was an undercurrent of anger, rudeness and selfishness rising among people, and this was way before COVID-19. I thought I was the only one who felt that way, but recently a friend who still works where I used to said she picks up on that. Sometimes it gets to be too much, so she takes a day off. I don’t want to be a “downer” but I want to point out that this didn’t happen out of the blue; it’s been there all along, but not easily apparent. As you say, we should be aware now that people are not “generally good”. Perhaps that’s good, because now we can pray for ourselves and others with an awareness that we really aren’t “good” and we need God to enable us to think, be, and do the way He wants us to. We really don’t have it in ourselves.

    Thank you for the Scripture verses.

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  10. I too feel sick about all the death and violence going on in our world. I just wrote a post called Part 1: How to Achieve Genuine Goodness? I learned a lot and was very convicted about what the Bible says goodness is. My next post will be how to overcome evil with good, as evil is the opposite of good. I believe the riots and violence are a stark contrast to love and goodness and many people will wonder why and turn to God for the answer. Kathy Wire is right. Revival starts with each person repenting of their own lack of goodness and love for others. Thank you for sharing, especially about not taking our family for granted, but to be mindful to make every moment count.

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  16. Brenda, your post brought tears to my eyes because the lack of love for others is destroying our nation, and perhaps the world. I am re-blogging so that others can read your beautiful words of encouragement and maybe make a difference to someone who is hurting.

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  17. As I read your post, the hymn, ‘Cleanse Me’ came to mind. I guess there must be different versions of it, as I see from an online search. But my hymnal has this as the fourth verse:
    O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
    Send a revival, start the work in me.
    Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
    For blessing now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

    We do need a revival; revival starts in the hearts of God’s people; it starts in me.

    Liked by 5 people

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