[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] But I Really Don ’ t Like Her | Encouragement For Today | Proverbs 31 Ministries

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "thefamilyoffaith" <TheFamilyofFaith at tampabay.rr.com>
To: <thefamilyoffaith at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] But I Really Don't Like Her | Encouragement
For Today | Proverbs 31 Ministries
Date: 
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:22:43 -0500


 



           
               
           
                        January 25, 2012

                              But I Really Don't Like Her
                              Samantha Reed
                             

                          "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain
conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."
Philippians 2:3 (NIV 1984)
                           

                        Guns were loaded. Ten paces taken. The showdown
had begun. Her at one end of the table; me at the other. My plate a smoking
gun; lima beans my bullets.
                        I wish I could say I was a two-year-old toddler,
throwing a tantrum. Instead, I'm embarrassed to admit I was a 25-year-old
adult, sticking it to a woman I couldn't stand. Neither of us was backing
down. Meeting her stealthy gaze I methodically slid one lima bean after
another to the side. I would not take one bite of her potpie until it was
clear of the offending veggies.
                        Oh, it's not that I dislike lima beans. On the
contrary. I like them. What I didn't like was her.
                        Her, my boyfriend's mother. Clinging tightly to
her matronly apron strings. Sitting at the head of his table. Wedging
herself between us. Serving his favorite meal.
                        Me, her son's girlfriend. Building bonds meant to
last a lifetime. Sitting by his side. Wedging myself between mother and
son. Resenting her home-cooked meal.
                        My own mother's voice grew louder in my head with
each lima bean I pushed aside. "It doesn't matter what she's done, you eat
the limas, Sam." I held my challenger's stare as I flicked another bean
onto the growing mound. "Put down your disdain and put her above yourself,
Samantha."
                        With determined purpose I jabbed the last lima.
Without a word I said it all: I will not honor your meal. I will not honor
your feelings. I will not honor you. My mom's voice shook my inner core.
"Use your humility, Samantha Elaine!!"
                        After dishes were washed and guns put away,
another voice resonated. The Lord spoke gently, yet firmly. Sam, I've asked
you to not be selfish. This was a perfect opportunity to show humility. She
took time to cook that meal; you should have put her needs above your
desires and eaten all of it.
                        I was ready with my rebuttal. But I really don't
like her! She's controlling and invasive. She doesn't respect me or my
relationship with her son. She's impossible to get along with, much less
honor.
                        As far as I was concerned, she was the enemy and
it was my duty to draw the battle lines. Yet deep down I knew, my actions
should not be determined by hers. After all, she had worked hard on that
dinner. She was my boyfriend's mom. And most importantly, she was my sister
in Christ.
                        On that premise alone I knew God called me to be
humble toward her. Not only that, but to go above-by eating (all) of her
meal, and beyond-by complimenting her special dish. It would have been a
small thing, but it would have been the right thing. and the God thing.
                        Though my relationship with my boyfriend and his
mom has since ended, my relationship with humility has grown. And continues
to grow as I challenge myself. It may be something as small as eating food
I don't care for, watching a television show that bores me, attending a
function I'd rather not. Or maybe speaking kind words when I'm frustrated,
praying for someone who has offended me, or taking a back seat when I want
to be first.
                        And for the times my finger is on the trigger, I
keep in mind that by being humble, I'm honoring God. There is joy in giving
glory to the One who so humbly laid down His life so I can keep mine
eternally. This truth gives me the grace I need to tuck my guns away and
ask, "May I please have seconds of your delicious lima bean potpie?"

                          Dear Lord, thanks for being the best example of
humility and honor. Please give me the grace to respect others, especially
those who I find hard to respect. Thanks for Your Word and for reminding me
to put others first. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

                         
                        Reflect and Respond:
                        We must not only do that which is good, but we
must cleave to it. All our duty towards one another is summed up in one
word, love. ~Matthew Henry
                        Who do I struggle to be humble toward? What is
one thing I can do to "tuck my guns away" and show them kindness?
                        Power Verses:
                        Romans 12:10, "Love one another with brotherly
affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (ESV)
                        Colossians 3:12-13a, "Put on then, as God's
chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility,
meekness, and patience, bearing with one another." (ESV)
                         
                        © 2012 by Samantha Reed. All rights reserved.
                        Proverbs 31 Ministries
                        616G MatthewsMint Hill Road
                        Matthews, NC 28105
                        www.Proverbs31.org
                        877-P31-HOME (877-731-4663)