Eyes On Jesus And Shine

Today was my last day to work for the whole summer.  Pause.  I need it. 

My first thoughts as I looked at this word ~ pause ~ were these:

hold please.  timeout.  breathe ~ in & out.  think.  remember.  reflect.  reboot. 

I need a pause in my life right now so that I can think for a whole day without interruption and noise.  I believe the pause will help me to remember what I know to be true.  Pause is a grounding time.  A time to get centered after all of life has become unbalanced, topsy-turvy and just plain heavy.

As a part of my job, I answer the main phone line while doing several other customer service type tasks at a very fast pace.  At times the voice on the other end of the phone line is angry, agitated, loud and barely taking a breath in between outbursts.  Those are the times I hold the phone away from my ear just a bit and pause.  I listen and I wait.  Once the person gives me an opportunity to speak I will most often ask a very simple question, "May I place you on hold for just a moment?"  

I am causing the person to pause.  You might think the steam would just continue to build while the person waits on hold.  That has happened, but rarely.  Most often because I listened while the words spewed the few moments on pause allows the person to gain perspective, to breathe, and to realize someone is trying to help them solve their problem.

I recognize my need for a pause.  I am grateful for this long pause.  I hope my Father is patient with me if I spew words as I attempt to regain my footing in life.  I know He is patient and He is kind, and I know He listens to my every word.  Yet, I fully expect if it is best for me, He might ask, "Lisa, may I place you on hold for a moment?" 

Giver- one who gives, the amount of bending that something undergoes.

I have always thought of myself as a giver, one who wants to give to other people.  But as I pondered this word I came up with a new insight into giving; the bending that a giver does.

I have been reading the book The Bait of Satan by John Bevere.  I was struck by his words,  “just because you have been mistreated you do not have permission to hold onto an offense”.  Also, Bevere stated, “a pure heart is like gold, soft and pliable.”‭

According to Paul's instructions to Timothy, the Lord's servant should be “instructing his opponents with gentleness.  Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth.  Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”  2 Timothy 2:25-26 CSB

God wants us to see the truth that forgiveness is something to give not to hold back.  Forgiveness is to be given, even if we feel we have been wronged.  In fact, even if we are correct in the fact that we have been mistreated, we need to  continue to love as Christ did and to forgive. 

Holding onto an offense creates a bitter person, and bitterness is a killer of love.

“I want to choose to and be a giver of love, not one who is looking to get love.”