kindness

Those who know me know, I am a first class put-ter off-er. I put stuff off until the last minute quite often. Like right now, I have a said amount of clothes (that belong to my husband) folded mind you, sitting on a chest in my bedroom. They are clothes he wore last week, this week, back at Christmas (wait, those are in the floor of the closet). I need to hang those clothes up & put them away. But you know what? I have more important & fun stuff to do at the moment. Like making a dress for my brand spankin’ new granddaughter. Or watching t.v. or surfing the internet for ideas on how to repaint my bedroom suit or having a nutritional snack of peanut butter or Nutella out of the jar or counting the times Miss Neenee asks can we go to the One Direction concert. You know things that distract me from doing what I need to. What are the consequences if I don’t put that laundry up? My husband has to look for matching socks? Pttthhh! He don’t care to do that. Well, for a short period of time anyway. But I won’t stop the world with my pile of clothes or cause anyone to epically fail in life because of my unorganization, so some things just get put off.

However, there are a few things in life we should not put off. Why? Because time goes on & we miss the opportunity. Those things happen, ya know? There is no telling how many great & terrific chances I have missed because I put stuff off. One Sunday at church, Bro. Brad preached about several things we should never put off.

1. Be quick to take action. We should discipline ourselves, because often times we wait too long to take action. We make excuses why we can’t do something. However, you don’t have to know everything to do something positive in life.

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.(NKJV)

2. Don’t wait too long to be kind to others. Make kindness a part of your everyday life. Let your first reaction to any situation be kindness. The giver the apostle Paul speaks of in this passage is not only regarding of our monetary offering, but a giving of ourselves, as well.

II Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (NKJV)

3. Be the best parent you can. We have our children, in our homes, for such a short time. They are born & before you turn around, they are in school. Then, graduating & having kids of their own. Take time now to make a difference in their lives. Teach them right from wrong. Don’t think you will address this or that later. Do it now or you may miss your chance.

Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.(NKJV)

4. Read & study your Bible. We often make the promise to ourselves, “I am going to be a better Bible student.” Today is the day! You can’t grow your faith without spending time in God’s Word. Blessings will pour on you, when you spend time with God. Don’t rob yourself of that.

II Timothy 2:10 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)

5. Realize today is the day to make things right. Don’t put off making things right with God. We are not promised another day or minute. Don’t meet our Savior unprepared.

II Corinthians 6: 1-2 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. ²For He says:“In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

I am so glad you came by to visit with me today. You know what? I think I may put those clothes up today. Maybe. If the sun in not shining & I can’t sit out on the deck. I will definitely put them up. Lawdy chile, I have got to quit my lyin’. I ain’t foolin’ with that today! Maybe if you aren’t doing anything, you would like to come hang these clothes up for me? No? I can’t say I blame you. I hope you have a great week. As for me, I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes.

photo credit: your ecards, soulspringroups.blogspot.com

Sunday is Mother’s Day. I hope you have made plans to honor mothers this weekend. For some people, Mother’s Day can be a hard day. This week a friend shared with me how he dreaded Mother’s Day every year. He counted up & said his mama had passed away some 30 years ago. Still the sting of Mother’s Day is ever present, for him. I understand what my friend is saying. My mama passed away almost 12 years ago. At any time, on any day, I would give anything to see her just one last time. Mother’s Day is a reminder, my mama is not here for me to celebrate her. My mother-in-law was just like a mother to me. She is also deceased. She was such a terrific person, smart, and strong. I miss her so much. My two grandmothers were important in my life, as well. They molded me into the person I am today. There is no way I could ever stand idly by as weather got bad. My Mama Boyce taught us that caution is the best cure to uncertainty. And that’s with anything in life. She was a careful planner when it came to things. Because you just never know when something might happen. You need to be prepared. My Mamaw taught me that love is the most important thing in the world. She loved me & her other grandchildren like there was no tomorrow. Each one of us held a special place in her heart. You can ask any of my cousins about our Mamaw. They will be glad to tell you how she had the talent of making people feel loved. Like they were the most important thing in the world to her. She knew how to treat people. Salt of the earth, she was.

Just like my friend, I have had years that were really hard on Mother’s Day. However, I do have kids & it’s hard to be sad when they are standing there bearing gifts & smiles in my honor! Here the past few years I have tried to do a better job of having a kinder attitude toward Mother’s Day. However, in the end, it’s all still the same, I miss my mama, my mother-in-law, & my sweet grandmothers.

One thing that is comforting is that these wonderful ladies were God fearing, Christian women. Let’s look to the things the Bible says a Godly mother is:

Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

v.25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

²⁶She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

²⁷She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

²⁸Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

²⁹Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

³⁰Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Recently, another friend was sharing some things her grandmother had said to her. It was kind and thoughtful words that only a grandmother can impart. I told her there was no love like that of a grandmother or mother. If you have a mother, grandmother, special aunt, or friend still living, please make an effort to acknowledge them on this special day. I know they will love you for it! It will be a special Mother’s Day for my daughter, because it is her first Mother’s Day. Don’t forget to remember those wonderful mothers who have already passed away & their children- who may not love this day. Your compassion toward those folks are what makes you precious!

I hope you are having a wonderful week. Skies are going to be cloudy & rainy this weekend in our neck of the woods. That will give me some time to catch up on some things in the house. I hope you have a terrific Mother’s Day! However, I have to go for now, because I should be washing clothes.