Always or Never

Power of Always or Never

Key Scripture: “I urge (you) to iron out your differences and make up. God doesn’t want His children holding grudges.” Philippians 4:1 The Message

“You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly.” Ephesians 4:3,4, The Message

Power Point: At my house, there are just two PEOPLE, my daughter Stefanie and myself. We are accompanied by SIX POODLES. Yep. Six! Actually the poodles allow us to live here as long as we provide cuddles, cushions and beef liver. I digress.

A while ago, Stefanie and I found ourselves in the middle of a conversation that went something like this: “Mom, you ALWAYS…”To which I responded, ”Stefanie you NEVER…. One day we started thinking about what we were saying. Always? Never? The truth is that nobody does something “ALL the time or “Never” NOT does something, but it sure puts a cramp in your thought life toward them when you are thinking that way. So-short story long-we decided that we would never (whoops,) I mean STOP, using those two words with each other. And actually we do pretty well at it. In the hands of the flesh, "always' and "never" can be lethal to a relationship. When the Spirit gets involved “ALL things work together for good.” and” I will NEVER leave you or forsake you” are pretty good places to hang your hat.

Once, when Stefanie was out of town, I found some sort of mess in the kitchen. I thought to myself, “Well, she ALWAYS does that. She should be more careful!” Then, to my GREAT chagrin, I realized that I was the only “SHE” there. Really embarrassing! But it taught me a lesson. I hadn’t realized how important it was to me to blame someone else. Thankfully, I’m learning that it’s a whole lot better to take ownership for my slip-ups right from the “get-go”. It saves a lot of emotional energy.

So are you ready to remove “always” and “never” from your vocabulary? The person who lives with you will be very happy. And you know what? The person you see in the mirror every day will be happier too.

Power Talk: I will always think twice before I use the word “always” in a sentence with “you”. I will never lock someone into a negative position by using the word “never” concerning them. I ALWAYS walk in the Spirit and I am NEVER led by the flesh. Help Holy Spirit!

I am So blessed by your comments!