Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
Recently Shirley and I went to a local restaurant for lunch and had our usual waitress; Anna, usual food; soup and a grilled cheese sandwich, and a most unusual check out. The bank declined my debit card. The clerk even punched in the numbers and still it was declined. So in the spirit of the season we sit at a table and call the bank. They tell us that my card has been compromised by ITunes. Isn’t that just great??? I have downloading classical music for the Christmas season and some joker is stealing my debit card number and charging around $500.00 in three different places in Virginia. I just don’t think that is very much in keeping with the Christmas spirit. The Christmas Spirit is give not steal.
I tried to think of appropriate scripture for this devotion, one that would voice my inner feelings. All I could come up with immediately had to do with destroying my enemies… casting them down into a deep, dark pit. And, you know, for a while I was very well pleased with this scripture and attitude. I even started singing “You’re a foul one, Mr. Grinch!” in that deep voice – with feeling.
Then I was reminded; “You are a preacher!” Oh yeah! Well, I guess that means that I need to, at least, try to handle this a little better. So, perhaps deal out only severe pain instead of the destruction and pit thing? Really what I want to do is to stand at the top of the pit and shine my flashlight down into the eyes… e-d-b-d-eyes… of those who are holding their ill-gotten gain… with my money.
I don’t understand why people do this. I don’t have the capacity to appropriately deal with this but I do know that I must forgive and let it go, and turn it all over to God. God will handle it in a way that brings about God’s solution and not mine.
Dear God, I thank you for reminding me of not seeking revenge but seeking the higher road of turning it all over to your loving care knowing that you will do what is best. Amen.
Grace and Peace
Steve
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The Journey 