“What I really think” has changed a lot through the years. Do you really want to hear about it? Let’s go! When I was in the Air Force, I had a Captain tell me “What he really thought” that everyone should go to college. I remember saying, “Well, if you had two people offering to fly your airplane, one with College, one with experience who would you choose? He said “I”d rather they had both college and experience, to which I said “But you have to choose.” (Guess what he chose?)

I used to think college was not important, until I went to school. I used to think because my preacher said everyone had to tithe, I should preach that too. Until I met a friend who got very upset with me and said “I give where God tells me to give” And she did not appreciate my 2-cent input. I used to think my Mom was too strict, so I started out not hardly disciplining my child. Until she tore my chair apart, wrecked all my cassette tapes, and poked holes in my waterbed. Then I decided discipline might be important.

I used to think the government should pay for everyone who wanted to get by for free, until I found out when I was on assistance how humiliating it was. I used to Judge those people, and say they should get a job, until I experienced the absolute desparation that goes with no car and no babysitter who is reliable (and so on). I used to believe everyone should have food stamps forever, until I watched my own bank account dwindle to nothing from giving everything away, and having people mad I could not give them more. It was then I realized, “Hey, this has to be a team effort!”

I used to think a lot of things. That everyone should go to church every time the doors were open. That was before I found out what it’s like to be broken and hurting, and have someone say “You should have been here last week!” (Making me feel like I wish I didn’t come today!). I used to think a lot of things. I thought if you gave love, grace and mercy to someone, they would always appreciate it and you’d always reap what you sow. The truth is, I think different about some things because of what I have experienced. I used to think if you loved someone enough and did enough for them, they would eventually love you back.

I thought if you were big enough to say “I”m sorry” Maybe they would eventually say it too- (when they hurt my feelings) But none of this is the case.

I have noticed there are givers, takers, and learners. The learners can learn to be givers, or takers They have to decide which one they want to be. Truth be told, God is a giver!

I hope and pray no matter what happens to me, I will always choose to be like him.

God gives what is undeserved. I was asking something of him today and said “I don’t deserve this, but…………” (and asked of him, my request).

Now, I’ve been serving him a long time, but I still do not DESERVE anything! Everything I have is by his Grace. Every blessing, every success, every single thing! and for this Father I PRAISE YOU! Thank you for your Grace on my life! Help me give it as well as I’ve received it Father. AMEN

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8.

…..Laura