May 9
Let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord. Jeremiah 9:24
Here we were at a conference, stuck at a table of so-called successful women, and listened as she droned on and on about her latest accomplishment, the success of her children, her marriage, her trips abroad and the recent extravagant purchases she had made. The rest of us were feeling a bit underachieved, to say the least, and uncomfortable; yet haven’t we all boasted about ourselves at one time or another and regretted it later? And really, what were we singing our own praises about when we did? Any accomplishments on our part surely had been performed by many others in the past. Our families were like so mny others, complete with our joys, faults, failings and difficulties as we lived each day. Most of us were thrifty in our spending, always prioritizing what our family’s needs were to enable us to do as much as we could with what God provided us. It didn’t matter our walk of life or achievement, we were all very much alike at that table.
As I looked around, observing the group of women and listening to their discussion it was easy to recognize the women of faith. Their belief in God was evidenced by their actions and words. They were attentive to the person they were in discussion with, concentrating with interest and appearing non- judgmental about what was being said. Their words did not demean the other by raising themselves up, yet they shared with enthusiasm their own ideas, feelings and personal stories. There was much joy, not boasting. I began to feel for the bragging woman, knowing that most of us have been there at one time or another, and understanding that her likely, low self-esteem prompted the need to build herself up in others’ eyes.
When we truly have the understanding that only good, and all our good, comes from God, we need to shout from our roof tops, “God is good! God is good!” Nothing in this world - no thing or thought, can compare with the grasping of the meaning of this passage from Jeremiah. God not only tells us about His goodness, His fairness and His love for all His creation, but also lets us clearly know that all we are and all we do comes from Him, and He delights in every action of ours that reflects His love! God wants us to share the stories of His love in our lives to build up the faith of one another. He wants us to turn to Him – to know Him, and in Faith, how we can boast about Him!
Forgive us Father for the times we have boasted about us and not about you, the One from whom, all good comes.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
Let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord. Jeremiah 9:24
Here we were at a conference, stuck at a table of so-called successful women, and listened as she droned on and on about her latest accomplishment, the success of her children, her marriage, her trips abroad and the recent extravagant purchases she had made. The rest of us were feeling a bit underachieved, to say the least, and uncomfortable; yet haven’t we all boasted about ourselves at one time or another and regretted it later? And really, what were we singing our own praises about when we did? Any accomplishments on our part surely had been performed by many others in the past. Our families were like so mny others, complete with our joys, faults, failings and difficulties as we lived each day. Most of us were thrifty in our spending, always prioritizing what our family’s needs were to enable us to do as much as we could with what God provided us. It didn’t matter our walk of life or achievement, we were all very much alike at that table.
As I looked around, observing the group of women and listening to their discussion it was easy to recognize the women of faith. Their belief in God was evidenced by their actions and words. They were attentive to the person they were in discussion with, concentrating with interest and appearing non- judgmental about what was being said. Their words did not demean the other by raising themselves up, yet they shared with enthusiasm their own ideas, feelings and personal stories. There was much joy, not boasting. I began to feel for the bragging woman, knowing that most of us have been there at one time or another, and understanding that her likely, low self-esteem prompted the need to build herself up in others’ eyes.
When we truly have the understanding that only good, and all our good, comes from God, we need to shout from our roof tops, “God is good! God is good!” Nothing in this world - no thing or thought, can compare with the grasping of the meaning of this passage from Jeremiah. God not only tells us about His goodness, His fairness and His love for all His creation, but also lets us clearly know that all we are and all we do comes from Him, and He delights in every action of ours that reflects His love! God wants us to share the stories of His love in our lives to build up the faith of one another. He wants us to turn to Him – to know Him, and in Faith, how we can boast about Him!
Forgive us Father for the times we have boasted about us and not about you, the One from whom, all good comes.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson