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Being Genuine - Even In A Tropical Storm!

Have you ever encountered someone who says all the right things, does all the right things, looks the right way, etc., but you sense of lack of something?  That somewhere the words and their meanings, do not connect?  Could it be a lack of genuineness?  Words without meaning, looks without inner beauty, interest without love can be felt even though everything appears right on the outside. 

A genuine person puts others first and gives and loves from the heart.  When they say something, they mean it, and you feel it!  They are the ones that put their focus on others find their needs and meet them.  They truly desire to look to the good of others.

For a while now, it has been a prayer of mine for the Lord to make me genuine.  By myself, selfishsness prevails. I need love that is beyond what I am capable of. To be genuine, God's love must flow first into my heart and then out into the lives of others.  My prayer has been based on Ephesians 3:19 -  "to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."  Oh, to be filled with God's fullness and pass it along...genuinely!

Starting tomorrow will be our church's children's camp.  Myself and 4 other ladies will oversee a cabin of girls for a week. We'll be 'living together' for those days and we'll see the good, the bad and the ugly!  We'll share joys, fun, get a little tired and battle irritation at times.  Being genuine is being real...it is my prayer for this cabin to be filled with God's genuine love flowing from our lives.

But being genuine is not only for good times.  In fact, it is strengthened when things aren't going so good!  When times are trying, it is then necessary to pull out more of God's goodness to replace the not so good things that may pop out of the heart.  When opposition comes, our genuineness can grow when it is deliberately chosen and acted upon.

As our church camp approaches, Tropical Storm Debby is making her presence known.  The eagerly awaited times of camp fun, sun and swimming may be changed to 13 girls and ladies cooped up in a cabin watching it rain outside!  But, being genuine does not fluctuate with the weather or circumstances around us.  When storms arise, it is our inner peace and knowledge of God's love that can keep us genuine.  It looks like some genuine love will be needed this week!

Your prayers are appreciated, not only for this character trait to be displayed, but that God will draw each camper towards Him.  That His presence will change us into His likeness - no matter what our age! 

Comments

  1. Miss DebbieJune 24, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    I pray that it will be a life changing week for you, your fellow adults, and the campers. What an opportunity to make a difference in the live of others! Bless you for your willingness to serve them in this way!

    ReplyDelete

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