[Faith-talk] FW: [masterslist] Please Don't Judge Me

Wed Mar 28 21:50:42 UTC 2012

Original Message: 
From: "Dean Masters" <dwmasters15 at gmail.com>
To: "masters list" <masterslist at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [masterslist] Please Don't Judge Me
Date: 
Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:50:39 -0400

Please Don't Judge Me
Samantha Reed

"You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and

you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
Mark 10:21b
(ESV)

I had some priorities misplaced. Suppose I'd known for some time, but
didn't 
fully recognize them until a trip to El Salvador with Compassion 
International.

I met two children on a home visit. They lifted their tarp door and
invited 
me in. Into mud puddles and dirt walls with just one bed where five
rested 
their
heads at night. One bed for dreaming dreams of being a doctor and police 
officer.

They filled my hands not with silver or gold, but with selfless love.
Love 
shared in stories and smiles and what few tangible gifts they owned.

I'd come to extend gifts myself; gifts of detergent and food. But they 
exceeded anything I had to give. A tiny beaded bracelet smudged with dirt,

drenched
in love. They wanted it to be mine.

Feeling too shy to hand it to me herself, she nudged her brother. He 
presented it to me as if it were a royal crown and gently slid it on my 
wrist.

I declare, diamonds couldn't match the worth of their hearts, their gift
in 
that moment.

The next morning as I was getting ready I felt a nudge. Give your
bracelet 
away like those children gave theirs to you.

You see, I had another precious bracelet with me. One my dad had given me

over twenty years ago. Just a simple wooden bracelet from South Africa,
but 
it
meant the world to me.

How could I part with it? I wrestled with indecision. My heart soared, 
anticipating the moment I'd spot a little girl or mama to give my
bracelet. 
But then
my heart sank, anxious at the thought of giving up one of my most
precious 
treasures.

And there lay the problem. My misplaced treasure.

Please, don't judge me.

I'm embarrassed... more than that. Heartbroken. I'm sick to say I
couldn't 
give it away. Couldn't? No; more like I wouldn't. Both bracelets
journeyed 
back
to the United States.

One bearing selflessness; the other, selfishness.

I thought I was really something, bringing gifts to those kids in the
form 
of beans and rice, soap and smiles. Little did I know, I was the one in 
need.

I needed God's mercy {and I'm so glad it's available}. I needed new 
perspective. I don't want possessions if I'm not willing to use them to
love 
others.

More than anything though, I needed the one thing I lacked... more love
for 
the Lord than for my belongings. My heart held tighter to my bracelet
than 
to
what God had asked me to do. He beckoned, "give to the poor, and you will

have treasure in heaven." A seemingly simple request, yet so difficult
for 
me
to follow.

You know what the crazy thing is? I've since lost my dad's bracelet.
Isn't 
that the way it is with earthly treasures? They're meant to easily slip 
through
open hands and giving hearts.

I've decided I don't want to be lacking in love for the Lord or those He 
cares for. Next time I'm giving it all. I'm starting by opening my hands
and 
heart
and looking for opportunities today. Are you with me?

Dear Lord, You are the perfect example of giving. You gave Your Son, and
He 
gave His very life on the cross. Thank You for giving new mercies, second

chances
and hearts that respond to Your prompting. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Might you open your hands and heart with
a sponsorship of a Compassion International child,
like the two who blessed Samantha?

Click here to visit
Samantha's blog
for pictures of these two generous children and enter to win a special 
bracelet.

Reflect and Respond:
"Sometimes love requires the sacrifice of your possessions, your time, or

some other precious commodity." ~John MacArthur

How can you respond to this beckoning by Jesus, "...give to the poor"?

Power Verses:
Matthew 6:20,
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do
not 
destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (NIV 1984)

Lamentations 3:22-23,
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his
compassions 
never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (NIV

1984)

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616G MatthewsMint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

Explore Further

Bible Gateway
More newsletters
More newsletters
Proverbs 31

FacebookLink

Follow biblegateway on Twitter

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Looking for more daily inspiration?
Sign up for a Verse of the Day newsletter:
biblegateway.com/newsletters

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

ADVERTISEMENT

Subscription Info

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

You received this newsletter because you signed for it on
BibleGateway.com
or one of its associated websites.

Should you wish to unsubscribe for any reason, please click on the
"Manage 
Subscriptions" link below.

Clicking "One-click unsubscribe" will permanently unsubscribe you from
all 
of our newsletters. If you encounter any problems while unsubscribing or 
have
a different question, please visit our
feedback page
to let us know.

This email was sent to: dwmasters15 at gmail.com

This email was sent by: Bible Gateway
5300 Patterson Avenue SE Grand Rapids, MI 49530 USA

We respect your right to privacy -
view our policy

Dean Masters, owner of the Masters List

"I would rather walk in the dark with Jesus than to walk in the light on
my 
own."
Wayne Watson

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/masterslist 