THE GOLDEN RULE
Matthew (7:12): “In everything, do unto others as you would have done unto you……”
……I want to be candid here. I have lived 62 years, and I find this passage doesn’t always work so well IF I treat it as a stand-alone scripture. My Mom taught me this one when I was very young. “It’s the Golden Rule” she said to me.
Throughout my life (and I took it seriously) I have brought people gifts because I really love to receive gifts for no reason! My Own mom for a long time said “You should save for Christmas or birthdays, why are you giving me a gift for no reason? Or at times, she did not like the gift. She wished I hadn’t “wasted my money” on this or that.
People whose love language is getting help will offer “Help” but then you run into someone like me, who had to always do it alone and is not comfortable with giving directions on HOW to help. We who always did it ourselves (and got used to it) don’t mean to reject your offer, it’s just we don’t know how to “not do it alone.”
I’ve had times I hit the nail on the head with a gift, while other times someone felt like “they had to return the favor” and wished I had not given them a gift at all! I’ve offered hugs to people who don’t want one. I’m sure others I failed to hug because that’s what they truly needed! The verse “Do unto others as you would have done unto you” does not work all by itself. Why? Because everyone has different expectations and needs. We are different.
A piece of advice that helps one person might offend another. “What do you think I’m stupid?” (is how they may feel!!). It takes a brave person to go out and “TRY AGAIN” when you have heard all the time how much you have failed to “hit the mark” On doing for others (the right thing at the right time!!).
But there is another thing my mom said to me, “it’s the thought that counts.” When I was a kid, and I was sad because I got a puzzle (and I don’t like puzzles) she said, “Just think they thought of you.” “They took the time to wrap it” and she would make me sit down and write a thank you card.
Growing up is hard. Especially in relationships. My prayer life and asking God “What do they need?” “What do I say?” “Please guide me” comes from the pain and heartache of failing.
Honestly, if I hadn’t failed, I probably wouldn’t have turned into this crazy Christian that prays about EVERYTHING. And still, even at that, I make mistakes. I don’t always hit the mark. I always don’t say the right thing at the right time (or get the right gifts!!). But my heart really is set on being a blessing (everywhere I go). I guess if I had one wish it would be “Please see my heart.”
We are all (hopefully) Growing up TOWARD the head which is Jesus…….Let’s not be so hard on each other. Let’s just cheer each other on. -Laura
PS: And don’t give up! Practice Makes Perfect!
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