I drove out of our neighborhood this morning to take Olivia to school. I was running a couple minutes behind because she couldn't make up her mind about who would drive her. So, as I headed off, I noticed there was a bit more traffic than usual. Immediately, I became impatient. I am guilty of driving over the speed limit, not only when I'm running late. This morning though, there was no way for me to speed because of the bumper-to-bumper traffic. I got behind this one car that didn't seem to want to drive the speed limit, and I found myself looking for an opportunity to pass them, and probably flash them a look of frustration and annoyance. The opportunity didn't arrive, and shortly I found myself turning into the parking lot of my daughter's school. Right behind that same car. I smiled, and thought to myself, "good thing I didn't race around that car and act like a maniac!" On my way home from dropping Olivia off, another impatient driver got behind me this time. I was driving the speed limit and approaching a construction zone so there was no way I was going to speed up just to let this "nut" pass me. They proceeded to tailgate my bumper and I again became annoyed, so I slowed down. They honked and probably said a few choice words, but I just continued to slow down until I made my turn off of that road. When I got home, I asked myself a question. "Would they know I'm a Christian?" Do they know? Do they know I'm a pastor's wife? Do they know I love God?
Do they know? Do those around you know you love and follow God? Do those you work with know you are a Christian? Do your neighbors know? What about when you're out in public? Would other drivers around you know you're a Christian? Maybe not other than by some "Christian" bumper sticker or cross hung around your rear view mirror. But what about others you come in contact with throughout your day? Would those in the check-out line at the grocery store be able to detect something different about you? Is there something just a little different about you that makes you stand out to people, causing them to ask, "What's different about them that they seem joyful all the time?"
I found myself asking those questions this morning as I began to start my day like most others, all too prone to slipping into a bad attitude. I snapped myself out of it and determined to set my mind to better things for the remainder of the day. I found myself smiling as I walked through the grocery store this morning enjoying the company of my gorgeous 10-month-old, Judah! I spoke to others I didn't know, I was more polite in the check-out line, and more patient driving home. It's amazing how easy your mood can be changed. If you think only negative things, you're only going to FEEL negative and ACT negatively. If you choose to think positively, then you're naturally going to be in a better mood. Like Joyce Meyer says, "Your mind is a battlefield." Are you winning the battle?
Do they know? Do those around you know you love and follow God? Do those you work with know you are a Christian? Do your neighbors know? What about when you're out in public? Would other drivers around you know you're a Christian? Maybe not other than by some "Christian" bumper sticker or cross hung around your rear view mirror. But what about others you come in contact with throughout your day? Would those in the check-out line at the grocery store be able to detect something different about you? Is there something just a little different about you that makes you stand out to people, causing them to ask, "What's different about them that they seem joyful all the time?"
I found myself asking those questions this morning as I began to start my day like most others, all too prone to slipping into a bad attitude. I snapped myself out of it and determined to set my mind to better things for the remainder of the day. I found myself smiling as I walked through the grocery store this morning enjoying the company of my gorgeous 10-month-old, Judah! I spoke to others I didn't know, I was more polite in the check-out line, and more patient driving home. It's amazing how easy your mood can be changed. If you think only negative things, you're only going to FEEL negative and ACT negatively. If you choose to think positively, then you're naturally going to be in a better mood. Like Joyce Meyer says, "Your mind is a battlefield." Are you winning the battle?
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