Reacting or Responding?

Anybody out there ever have an angry boss, or co-worker, friend, family member or neighbor? Were they insulting or rude to you? How did you handle it? I know that I have handled it in poor ways in the past, but happily, living on this ole ball of wax always provides plenty of opportunities to hone the needed skills of dealing with offences! After much practice & the desire to remain wholesome-hearted, I have some hope for you.
First of all, Jesus promises us in Luke 17:1 that offenses will come. What a promise! Bet you won't find that in the handy little Bible Promise Book you got at graduation! The word here for offence is "skandalon", meaning the bait for a trap. Try to see the angry guy's anger as bait for a trap that the enemy wants to see you fall into. The best thing to do is forgive him right away & then remove yourself from the angry person. If that person has to be in your environment continuously, then create your own inner atmosphere of joy and peace by focusing on what God thinks of the the sucker. God loves him, regardless of his confusion. He is being used as a pawn by the Dark Side & he does not even know it. That is why I call him a sucker (just in my thoughts, mind you). Don't get suckered in! It could end up giving you high blood pressure and ruin your tender heart! Here is a great meditation for you:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7

The Proverbs offer up some practical advice on how to handle sticky situations. Realize that folks that are forever angry about one thing or another will sooner or later hurl it in your direction if you hang out with them long enough. This little verse sums up how important it is to be choosy about who we allow as our close friends, after all you can forgive someone, but you know that you cannot trust them!

 "Make no friendship with an angry man & with a furious man thou shalt not go; Lest thou learn his ways & get a SNARE to your soul." Proverbs 22:23 (KJV)

Try to look at someone else's insults as a test. God can get you through the test. Father is after one thing: To conform you into the image of Jesus, and for His children to become one, even as He and the Father are one. (John 17:) Don't let anyone steal your joy or your peace. Do not allow unloving thoughts or unforgiveness to darken your heart. You want a pure heart, not one all messed up with drama & pain. Even if you do not feel like forgiving, do it anyway by faith. Start praying for the person who always ends up hurting your feelings. They obviously are confused about how much God really loves them. It may not seem like an answer, but it will keep your heart calm and at peace.

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." James 3:16

The confidence you have in how much God loves you does not change because someone else is not agreeing with the truth concerning how much God values you. Realize that God does not love them any less than you. Their misery can become your own if you choose to answer them. Instead, tell God all about it. Really see how much they are missing out on the righteousness (right standing with God because of Jesus' sacrifice) peace and joy that they COULD have. Prayer is a weapon of love which will keep you steady until they are ready! Build compassion and understanding for the person so bound up in hate! But at the same time, walk wisely. Choose NOT to be offended. The drama is theirs. Pray for them.

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." Psalm 119:165


"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding." Proverbs 4:7

The next point is not to answer an irrational individual. It will only lead to strife. "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him." Proverbs 26:4 They are only satisfied when they can see you fall. Maintain your dignity. Be humble and at the same time confident in your God to protect your heart. Ask God to search your heart to make sure that you are not holding unforgiveness toward them. If so, take a look at 1 John 1:9  ^"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

So to sum it all up, the choice is whether to respond to the Lord and have a heart of love and peace, or to react to the angry person and fall headlong into a pit with the trap in it& mess your heart all up. The trap of anxiety and turmoil, resentment and hate is a scandal indeed.

Spring 2013

Well, folks, here we are in my busy time of year, looking forward to a lush garden of delights to please the palate and the senses! The greenhouse is full & bursting with color...cannot wait to pull all those baby plants out & set them in their new homes. This is the time when all happy gardeners are just pregnant with anticipation, watching the weather everyday & having worn out the seed catalogs long ago, are just chomping at the bit to let the races begin!

I had the flu in January, and my right foot is acting up. Back in 2008, I was found hopping around the uneven pasture in a panic after disturbing a wasp' nest upon opening the garden shed in early springtime. I recently "over-did it" (doctor's words) And have commenced to becoming a slouchy sofa surfing slob. Actually, I just could not waste any time, so I got better at drawing out my plans for the gardens, and am actually learning how to do it on the computer instead of the graph paper like I have always done. My friend, Shirley Shaddock would be ever so pleased that I am coming out of the dark ages & into the 21st century...online!!!

I simply could not have gotten done what has been accomplished so far this season, if it had not been for my 6'3" teen-age next door neighbor, Zackary Myers. His strong back & brains have transformed the place. For someone only 14, he works like a grown man & has a superb attitude. Many thanks go to David Mapp of David Mapp Handy-Dandy Repair Service (I made that up, he just likes to be called David Mapp, I think). David & Zack built an awesome arbor for my clematis...Nelly Moser, look out!

Also, Bubba Rutherford of Rutherford Tree Service came out a few weeks ago & took out the trees that had been slain by the dreaded drought & high winds of 2012. The whole place looks different. What used to be a part shade garden out back, is now a bright open place with full access to the sun. The delphinium & hollyhock are soon to arise up from the dirt & delight the senses along with the red salvia & irises, yellow lilies, purple cone flower & various herbs.

Hold onto your rakes folks, pic-chas are soon to come!