Give, Give, Give

"Give when asked and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you." - Matthew 5:42

I saw a movie tonight in which a woman didn't realize what she had become until she took a good look at herself in the mirror. She noticed how dirty and disheveled she was and wanted to change. In many ways we are like that woman in the mirror; we never want to take a good look at ourselves to see the ugliness we need to change. Looking in this mirror has made me aware of the fact that I'm very possessive of things that belong to me… or things I think belong to me. Every morning I pray to God for prosperity because I know it comes from Him, yet I have a problem sharing with others things I should know come from God. Why should I have a problem giving to someone from my things when I have no real ownership of them anyway? If He gives to me freely, who am I to deny someone else because of my own selfishness? Everything is gift from God. Even my time is gift from God so I should exert more patience when I feel it is being wasted by someone else.

This is an example of the ugliness I see when I look in the mirror and I feel ashamed. I feel like a prisoner in my own body because when I realize how petty I am being, I realize how weak I am and how much I need Jesus. Only He can transform me if I let Him. I can't give without reservations like He asks until I recognize that He is right and I shouldn't put any thing over the love of my neighbor in need.

Today's Prayer:
Jesus, You came to heal the sick. Heal me of my pettiness. Heal me from my lack of love towards those around me. I'm so sorry for failing them and failing You. Mold my heart and make me more like You. In Your Name we pray, amen.