…You’ve got some ‘splaining to do!

Ok…I know yesterday’s BLOG falls into the ‘Where’d THAT come from’ category and most assuredly raised some questions. It was the external expression of an internal issue that I’d been wrestling with which concerns Brittany and I. Without going into detail, she’s been receiving a great deal of pressure from external forces over an issue that is extremely important to her. Being under this type of pressure at 18 is tough, but when that pressure comes from someone you should be able to count on for support and understanding, it becomes almost unbearable. So, Brittany turns to me and my first inclination is that Papa Bear’s fur bristles and the furnace of anger starts to stoke. But I know that allowing that anger to build won’t help me, wont help Brittany and honestly wont change the situation. Psalm 46:10 says, ‘Be still and KNOW that I am God…’ So, I quieted myself, cleared my mind as best as I could and waited on Him and His leading. One simple word came to me…’Forgive’. I sat and thought about that for awhile and thought about this, what can I change about this situation…what is within MY control? Neither Brittany nor I can control the people that are putting this pressure on her. We can’t control what they think, what they say or how they feel. We, however, can control how WE feel, how WE react and how WE approach the situation. Does that mean we have to ‘roll over’ and be a door mat? Not at all! But we can, by the grace of God, be compassionate and understanding. We can disagree, stand our ground and still treat the situation with respect and love. And so my BLOG ended up being the sounding board for my thoughts and my need to guide Brittany to a correct mindset and heart. So, I offer up the following for Brittany, for myself and for anyone else that may need to hear...

There can be no forgiveness without love and no love without forgiveness.

Peace is finally forgiving a person and setting the prisoner free, only to discover that the very prisoner you set free was yourself.

If We Are The Body ~ Casting Crowns:

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in Trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat
And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances
Are better out on the road

But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ

If we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Jesus is the way


If we don’t show that there’s a different, better way, then we’re not showing Christ’s love. And if not us…who? And if not now…when?

~ V