Day 12 – Forgiveness

How can we focus more on Christ?

This is another tough one. This may be the hardest one of all. But don’t stop reading, hear me out. I know we all want people to be responsible for their actions. I understand. We want people to apologize and admit they hurt us. When they don’t apologize, we stay mad, angry, hold a grudge, and the feelings that manifest in our hearts is not good. Our life is the one that suffers, not the person that hurt us.

People hurt people. It happens all day every day, some days on purpose and most of the time it’s unintentional. I am not making excuses for the people that harm our hearts, but I am curious. I am curious about why they react the way they do and curious about why they hurt other people. What past secrets are bottled up inside of them and what pain do they harbor from someone that hurt them? What if they are not even aware of what is buried deep down in their hearts?

Here's what we can do. We can pray. We can pray for those that hurt us and pray that we will be able to forgive.

What about the flip side of that? Who have we hurt? Maybe it wasn’t on purpose, but maybe we need to go ask for forgiveness from someone? There is so much freedom to be found in saying the words, “I am sorry.” Go ahead and try it!

Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

Day 11 - Gifts

How can we focus more on Christ?

Are we using our God given gifts? God wants us to use the gifts He gave us. Earlier this year I wrote about my son’s athletic gifts. It’s a great reminder to use our gifts! What are your gifts?

Excepts from blog: (https://www.nataliebonkowski.com/post/are-you-using-your-gifts)

Here are few truths we speak and believe in our house:

*That talent, that gift, that ability in the weight room, on the field or on the track is not achieved with personal strength or personal power. Our abilities are gifts from God, unique and individual to each of us.

*Our gifts are meant to be used, not hidden. We are responsible for nurturing, growing, and working these gifts that we have been blessed with.

*Our God is in control of all things. If we are in a season of winning, then praise God! If we are in a season of difficulty, then praise God! He is in control and everything that happens in our life is part of our journey, our story.

*We believe the tougher our trials, the more God is showing us to depend on Him. While He gave us physical and mental strength, we are limited by our abilities and trusting and believing in God for help is the only way.

*Our gift can be stripped away at any minute. We talk about this often in our home. If the day comes that we lose our #1 ability or talent, it will be difficult, but we know that God’s plan is bigger than we can dream up.

*We pray first because we are not in this life alone. There is never “pressure” to accomplish something on our own. Let’s use what abilities God has given us, pray, put in some work, and do our best. (And if we start to feel pressure, we pray more, and remember that it would be selfish to think that the ability we have is about us, it’s about God. A gift we get to use!)

*We believe our worth, that feeling of belonging, does not come from accomplishments, winning, or pats on the back. Our worth comes from God and God only. We are God’s children and that alone makes us worthy and accepted. God loves us so much. He chose us and designed every little detail on each of us. We accept our Father’s love and know that whatever failures we endure, they do not define us, and our God still loves us.

*Finally, we pray for God to use those gifts for His glory. Our purpose here on earth is to glorify God. I pray that Tyler’s love for football and his athletic gifts are not used for personal gains, or self-worth, or a feeling of righteousness. I pray God gets the credit. I pray God shows Tyler how He can be a light for Him on and off that football field.

Thank you, Lord, for each of our unique, individual gifts! Something to think about: What are your gifts, abilities, something you do well? How are you using them? I’m talking to us grown-ups! It’s never too late to use those gifts that He gave us!

Musician? Artist? Leader? Teacher? Cooking? Baking? Builder? Cleaning? Organizer? Good at Math? Dancing? Public Speaker? Writer? Good at games? Memorizing? Listening? Designing? People Person? Gardener? Photographer? Full of patience? Are you a hard worker? Do you have a determined attitude? Can you make people smile? Can you be a good friend? How can you use your hands? Your mind?

How can you use these abilities for God’s Glory?

1 Corinthians 12: 4-6-Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

1 Corinthians 10:31-So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Peter 4:10 -As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.

Day 10 – Positive Words

How can we focus more on Christ?

Let’s reflect on the words that come out of our mouths. Do we gossip? Do we talk negatively about others? Do we curse? Do we complain?

As I think about what words to type next, I think of how my husband gets to hear all my complaining. My husband has always been my biggest supporter and therapist. He has a great listening ear which I am thankful, but he hears my complaining the most.

It’s the everyday things that go wrong that get me complaining. Simple things like my schedule for the day getting rearranged or going crazy from running around with the kids and their schedule or being frustrated with a simple task that took longer than expected. This is an area I need to spend some time in prayer.

What about gossip and talking about others? Do we tear others down so that we feel better about ourselves? Do we gossip and tell stories that may or may not be true? Let’s try something different. The next time we hear something negative about someone, let’s just keep it to ourselves. Let’s not share it with anyone else. Let’s make it a challenge to let the gossip end with us. Let’s have a heart that is so in love with Jesus that it swallows up the gossip never to be found again.

Let’s talk about good stuff. Let’s talk about good people. Let’s lift others ups. Let’s talk about how good our God is! Let’s have conversations about how we can go and do good things. Let’s talk about the good things we see in the world. Let’s spread positivity!

Ephesians 4:29

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Matthew 15:11

It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

Ephesians 5:4

Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.