Just between you and me

Have you ever had someone tell you that? I'm sure we all have, more times than we can count. But of those times, can we say for sure that whatever it was remained confidential?

An experience I had a few years back has made me very wary of those who approach me with that "promise." In this case, the person went so far as to say, "this is between you, me AND Jesus."  I look back on that and have to chuckle. I chuckle because I felt they were stretching the truth - well, straight up lying - when they said it. Before the year was out, I had very clear evidence that my first suspicions were correct. And the truth is always revealed in the most unexpected ways, isn't it?  Thankfully, this particular experience wasn't detrimental to me in any way, but it did expose the character of the one who claimed to be a person of their word.

By God's grace and power, I strive to be a person of my word. And when someone comes to me with a matter in confidence - first, they know I'll keep it, and pray with and for them.  On the other hand, if and when people try to bring me gossip, or tell me "I shouldn't be telling you this, but..." - I let them know immediately, that I don't want to know. In this way I establish myself as one who won't listen to or carry tales about other people.

I wasn't always like this. Back in the day I had a big mouth and a wild imagination. I'd tell it...maybe in my immature attempt to gain popularity; be in "the know." Or maybe simply because I didn't know the hurt my words would cause. Thank God I know better now. And as they say, "when you know better, you do better."

There are very few people I know I can trust with my most delicate things, and vice versa. And I thank the Lord for them. My husband is at the top of my list of human beings. When we share with one another, we don't need to preface our communication with "just between you and me." And because these dear ones are also my prayer partners, we KNOW the matter is covered by the Lord, in the Lord, with the Lord's will as our ultimate desire.

God places His people in strategic positions in our lives. Let us be discerning as we engage with one another. The Holy Spirit will identify a brother and sister who can join forces with you in this spiritual battle. Be careful of those who approach you with gossip and not words of healing, on their tongues. And by all means, think twice about someone who leads with "this is just between you and me."  It's probably a false statement.

Just sayin...

Do we show any signs of LIFE?

No Regrets

I can't stress this enough. People, whether you are part of a marriage or not...please handle each other with care.

Every day should find us diligently, intentionally, lovingly engaged in seeking and finding ways to express our love; nurture our love.

For many people, this means there's a lot of work that must be done from within. So be it. It's a good and noble work to undertake. Having a belief system, or Faith, that teaches us how to take hold of the Power to improve and enrich our lives - that we may share more fully with others - is a great start.

I believe and trust God works this miracle inside us. I believe He created us out of love, because Love is God. God is Love. We are, therefore, made by Love, with love, to love.

And though life is full of things that cause us to sometimes forget, neglect, and even disregard the pure and simple acts of kindness that we actually crave as God's creation; we must purpose in our minds and hearts to redirect ourselves. There is a wonderful law of relationship that we get what we give. We reap what we sow. Who among us doesn't want to know we are loved by someone? Why would we withhold from another person, who would appreciate knowing that we love them?

Beloved, I know what it means to keep a word of love and adoration in my mouth for those who are close to me, and I strive to be pleasant with strangers, every day. These words fuel our deeds and continue to generate from the bowels of our hearts. We never know when we'll have another chance to sow a word or act of kindness.

I pray we live each moment fully engaged in ministering in the moments we're given. I can guarantee you will have no regrets.