Good morning! This morning I am thinking back through the week and enjoying each memory that was made. One of the things I’m specifically remembering is the morning we went fishing near my brother’s house.
The last morning in Jersey, I walked down to the river with one of my nieces, my twelve year old nephew, and Josh. It was such a cool moment to see the maturity and growth of my nephew.
I was expecting to go down there and do the normal uncle/dad thing – put the bait on the hook, cast out and try to hook the fish for them to reel in. But when we got down there, I quickly realized that the best thing I could do is stay out of the way and let my nephew shine!
He set everything up, baited the hooks, casted the line, then he counted five, four, three, two, one and began reeling in the first fish of the day LOL! We couldn’t believe it! He brought the fish in, got it off the hook, and threw it back into the river.
Then he casted again and was trying to hook another so his cousins could bring in a fish! It was so much fun and as much as I wanted to help, I didn’t want him to think that I was trying to take over and I didn’t want to make it seem like I didn’t think he could do it! I continued to encourage him and tell him how great he was doing!
He wasn’t doing everything the same exact way that I would have done them, but it didn’t matter – he did great and accomplished what we were there to do – HAVE FUN TOGETHER!
Think about what could have happened if I put a damper on the mood by trying to take the responsibility away from my nephew and onto myself. I could have frustrated him, discouraged him, and made him feel like he wasn’t good enough.
This same thing can happen in our relationship with others when it comes to our relationship with God. When we see others living for God in a way that is different than the way we would live, we step in and make following God so difficult that it turns people away.
Don’t get the wrong idea, following God demands that we turn away from the things and ways of this world – but we are all different and our relationship with God will be also! We shouldn’t compare ourselves with the people around us, but instead measure ourselves by the truth in God’s Word!
“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”
2 Corinthians 10:12
Heavenly Father, thank You for how You have given each one of us gifts to use for You. Help us to recognize the gifts in each other and to encourage them. Help us to allow others to shine so they continue to grow in their gifts and give all the glory to You! In Jesus Name – AMEN!
Be Transformed 