Quite a few people that I know have been having a difficult time lately. Whether its finding it difficult to accept a situation, settle or make a decision each person has struggled and some have made it through to the other side. Some have not, some are still feeling as if their feet are getting muddier and muddier and nothing is going their way. I am a person who tends to take on other people’s problems and make them my own. This isn’t something I see as a good thing, its one thing to be worried about someone and quite another to try to fix things for them. I did one of those on line tests once that told me that my ‘love language’ is giving gifts and I think this fits in with the way I try to solve people’s problems. Doing things for them, trying to sort out whats not working for them and if all else fails, give them something to cheer them up.
I have had to assess myself as to my intentions in this area. Is it that I really want to encourage them or do I want to come across as a caring person. Do I really care deep down? Sometimes I think the giving is about outer appearances sometimes however I think its a family trait. My Nanna (who I’ve mentioned before) was a big gift giver. She always had something tucked away in her wardrobe ready to give if an occasion came up that she forgot about. At Christmas everyone got a gift (or two or three), including the lawnmower man. There are parts of this that I have tried to emulate. Generosity and Hospitality are the two areas that she shone in and two areas I want to improve in. For me however the intention is important.
For those of my friends, family and acquaintances who have been feeling like they’ve lost their way lately this is for you (and my intention is only to make you feel better):
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” (The rest of it is here)
You might not be a person who considers yourself religious in any way but you just never know what you might discover if you go looking for God. I believe that he is there waiting to lift you out of your slimy pit and give you a nice solid place to put your feet, even if they are dirty.
