It's Saturday, Yeah.
Well it's Girl Scout Cookie season, and here are some earth shattering facts about them. First, which three flavors are always foremost in sales? Tell me what you think they are & next week I'll let you know if your right, don't be shy.
Hint: One of them has been a sales winner traced back to 1939 yeah even before i was born. Make your guess. More next Monday.
Sat. 3/18
Prov. 29:5 "A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet."
In order to understand this warning we must first understand the connotation of flattery. It is meant to be offering compliments that have no connection with reality, not just embellishing on a true quality, or pointing out an admirable trait. This is done in order to cause endearment to the person receiving the flattering words.
There are a number of verses that add light to this term:
Prov. 26:28 ... flattering words cause ruin.
Prov. 28:23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.
Well, as you can tell, from these verses, this is why this verse compares telling the truth, over extreme flattery of a person. In fact, it speaks of flattering words that are equivalent to entrapping an innocent person. Speaking about terms towards someones qualities which have absolutely no truth as though everyone feels that these are noticed all around them.
I remember in my dads years after retirement, he set out on a quest to compliment people who came across his path. I witnessed the magic of bringing to the forefront qualities that a person had that were many times not visibly apparent to others, maybe due to being too busy to notice them.
He became a master at drawing out these innate qualities, he became especially adept at this after my mothers passing. I noticed that this recognition of good qualities that were somewhat apparent resulted in the person further developing this quality, for others to enjoy. Due to his loneliness he would stop in the entry way at Walmart and out greet the greeter. He rather than complimenting something that was not even slightly true, he was rather highlighting, recognizing a hidden slightly oblique positive quality in a person.
I noticed that his influence on others brought to the fore front qualities that benefited all of those around them and many others who these recipients around him shared. Even when he was in the throughs of Altzheimers he was able to pass these gifts on to others.
As a result his caregivers were quick to respond to his needs, while others were not so fortunate. It was as though, he though not even aware was a light to those surrounding him, care giver, as well as, people being cared for.
When visiting him, though he thought I was my brothers friend. This trait was so apparent that as my brother & I would leave his care facility, we would comment of this amazing quality and how it caused others around him to be totally, and even accidentally to be ministered to.
This was the same way that my dad was in ministry. We were always as my mom said, "the last dog to die." for he was administering to others the greatest words of compassion known to man. Listening to their struggles, hardships, needs, and then administering the ointment of compassion on them.
I witnessed many times others saying, "Oh brother Ben, you have so encouraged me today, I came to church so low, and discouraged, but now I am reminded of how much our Father loves me, Thank you."
He sang the song so many times, "Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord" as a little boy I would look around and see almost every eye in the church filled to overflowing with tears. One day I got up the courage to ask my dad. "Daddy why do you sing that song so much, every time you sing it everybody gets so sad."
He said, well son I only sing it because the pastor requests it, I guess we all need to be reminded that our cup is getting empty, so we need for it to be refilled. Its kind of like your brother Dan, he drinks so much at supper because he's so busy during the day, that he doesn't drink till he's at the table, then he realizes he's thirsty.
So you see my dear one, Our Father isn't telling us not to lift each other up, to compliment good things, but just be truthful in our compliments.
When we do that, its like fanning a flame, it roars into the lives of others, blessings that come from God to the many friends around you. Fan that flame of love, of blessing, of encouragement, or hope, yes even pouring out that sadness, for then gladness has a place to flow, etc.
So Go With God, my dear one, there He will fill your empty cup with love and compassion that can only come from Him. He will open up His flow of whatever it is that you need.
He is so rich in loving kindness, mercy, and grace. Let Him fill your life full. That reminds me of working at my grandfathers gas station. The cars would drive in & I would greet them with "How can I help you?" They would say, Fill er up with regular or ethyl or check the tires, or top off the radiator, etc.
Remember Our Father is anxiously waiting at your filling station, the Bible, the prayer closet, or where ever else you may realize that your in need of filling up. He will meet you wherever you are. Today as you come to this post, pour out your emptiness whatever it is & He will fill er up.
Thin mints