Saturday, April 26, 2014

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

Just Close Your Eyes

Romans 2:4 Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

My little boy fell apart when I told him that he had to take a nap yesterday. How dare I force him to SLEEP!!!! Finally, I decided to use an approach that my grandmother always used to get us to take a nap.

She'd say, "You don't have to sleep, you just have to close your eyes." Realizing that my son was extremely hyped up from a fun Spring Break, I said, "Baby, let mom lay by you... and listen... I changed my mind... you don't have to sleep, you just have to close your eyes."

He then cuddled up very close to me and in a matter of a couple of minutes, he was out cold.

I knew he needed rest, but he couldn't see that for himself. In addition, the more I told him what he needed, the more upset he became.

Have you ever experienced this with those you love? You know what they need, but they just can't see it for themselves!?! Then, the more you tell them, the angrier and more distant and defiant they become.

If you are currently or have been in a situation like this, I challenge you to take a different approach. Today's scripture reveals that it is God's KINDNESS that leads us to turn from our sins.

Show those individuals in your life love, wrap your arms around them, and tell them that you love them. Don't force them to change. Forced change is often temporary change. Instead, guide them with love.

Dear Lord, Lead me and direct me as I try to lead others. Give me the words to say and show me the right time to say them.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection: Is there a situation in my life that I need to show a little more mercy in?