My and Yours
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
I discovered something today! In my devotion / journal, there is a section for listing things for which I’m thankful. I read back through several pages, months, years and saw the word “my” too many times. I was thankful for my family, my friends, my health etc. It was kind of embarrassing and startling.
Yes, we are grateful for all the wonderful things we have – a place to live, a job, a spouse that can cook, our food, a new fishing pole and the list is endless. But how did we get those things? We worked for them, right? That isn’t what I mean. Aren’t they all gifts from God?
Do we really own anything? Isn’t everything His? Sometimes He answers our prayers (fulfilling our want list) just to see what we are going to do with this “stuff”. Are we good stewards of what He has provided? Have we nagged Him to get what we want? I don’t think He turns His back on us but He does provide various learning opportunities and even consequences.
Recently, I was in line in Target and all the lines were lengthy to say the very least. I stood between two women with numerous children. One of the kids wanted some candy and threw a royal tantrum when he was told no. He made a horrible scene. The mother finally caved in and gave him the Hershey bar saying, “Here, eat this and shut up!” The candy was not given out of love but rather frustration, anger and embarrassment.
The other mom was a bit older and the child wanted something I would call eye candy. Mother said no several times and told the little girl (approx. 5-years-old): “If you ask again, we are leaving the store and you’ll have consequences at home.” She started screaming and crying and the mother pulled her cart out of line and exited with an unhappy child. (You could hear her hollering and crying all the way out into the parking lot.)
Both of these real-life situations are based on “My” wants and I want what I want when I want it! Fast forward 20 years. Think about these two kids as adults. Could one have been you or me?
Oh, how we need to remember our possessive pronouns and to be thankful for all of His gifts!
Heavenly Father, You are our source of life. Help us never to forget to use the correct pronoun. AMEN.