So I was communicating (lecturing) with my daughters yesterday about the desire for change. This issue was very simple. One daughter was demonstrating approval of something and the other daughter accused her of making fun; because that was what she liked to do primarily in the past. Well, today to everyones attention the first daughter wanted to begin her change; without having to announce it of course. And to the first daughters dismay the other daughter did not believe her all-of-a-sudden change of heart. After all when you just decide to change with no notice its kind of hard to really at first believe in the change. It's only after time passes with constant desire to show change will one believe - or will they.
This story brings me to my devotion today about letting people change. Do we really realize that we are the ones that will not allow people to change? As I explained to my daughters, each has a desire to show change but the past has been so damaging they just cannot allow themselves to really believe that they in fact want to change. So with my grand father explanation i suggested that if you want to have change in your life then we have to give it to others.
We see this a lot in the mental health and substance abuse world. "Repeat offenders" we call them. Why? because we really do not believe they have or ever will change. Plus, if they do change then we will not have a job. WOW! Selfish uh? Well, change really only comes as much as we will give it to the other.
Change equals an amount of grace given. The more grace, the more change.
So let's revisit that good ole verse of scripture that we truly have distorted over the years. Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets."
What?! Everything?! Yep, EVERYTHING! Makes it tougher when you are the one having to give the grace rather than receiveing it.
Well, that's what I explained to my children. Oh wait, this means I have to give grace with change too! Ouch!
Have a blessed day!!
