Were You Really "Just Kidding"?

Every now and then I have to reprimand my daughters for being rude to each other.  There are 3 of them and sometimes the older 2 gang up on the youngest or the younger two gang up on the oldest.  One of their favorite excuses for being mean is, "I was just kidding."  "Oh really?", I reply.  "Do you think that just because you were "just kidding" it makes your sister feel better?"  They think about it then realize that a sincere apology is in order.

Kidding and joking cannot un-ring a bell.  Once we speak something hurtful on purpose, the words "just kidding" only make it worse because now it seems like we are making light of cruelty.  Not only that but don't you think people know the differene.  We are all guilty of saying mean and hurtful things to people.  Once we realize that we have rang that bell (saying something that we regret), a sincere apology should follow.

Even if we have hurt someone unintentionally we should apologize.  What if we are not sorry?  You know, maybe you said something that needed to be said but it was not in a loving way.  More out of anger?  Once the dust settles you will feel bad but pride may prevent you from apologizing right away (at least that's the way it is for me). 

At that point, give it to God and ask for His guidance and forgiveness.  Sometimes an apology isn't necessary and changing your attitude is all it takes.  Actions can definitely speak louder than words.  If you do apologize, don't continue to make the same mistake.  Eventually your apologies will fall on deaf ears.

I am very bold and outspoken.  That can be good or it can be very bad.  I used to speak w/o thinking which didn't always turn out good.  As I get older, I gain wisdom about bridling my tongue or atleast speak in a loving way. 

......But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.
James 1:19 New American Standard

Kidding and joking should be kept to a minimum (unless you are a clown) and never at someone's expense.  You can be funny w/o acting like a fool.  Keep wisdom and knowledge close by.

From my heart to yours,

Starla D Espinoza

A Life Well Lived

In my bible study group we are currently studying the book of Ecclesiastes: A Life Well Lived by Tommy Nelson.

This book is believed to have been written by King Solomon.  Well Solomon or whoever wrote it kept it more real than I ever could.  This entire book isn't very big but the main point is that a life well lived is not one without pain, confusion, or sorrow and the best thing you can do at the end of the day is eat, drink and be merry and realize that you may not understand everything that happens but enjoy life.

You see, just because we don't understand something doesn't mean that God isn't in the picture or that He is punishing us. 

So far, these verses spurred the most reaction and comments:

1:15-What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking cannot be counted.  Hon??? 
The bottom line:  No matter how wise you find yourself to be, you still cannot fix life. 

3:11-He has made everything appropriate in it's time.  He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.  Wow, Solomon was a very deep man. 
The bottom line:  God doesn't reveal certain things too soon because we would give up too soon.  There truly is an appointed time for every event under heaven.  It's not about understanding everything, it's more about trusting God.

4:5-The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.  Hmmm????
Bottom line:  The fool doesn't work at all and consumes his own flesh (starves to death).

Do you feel like as long as you are obedient to God that you will be free from trials and tribulation?  I hope not because that couldn't be further from the truth.  God is not our servant, we are here to serve Him and bring glory to Him.  Things won't always seem fair to us but we don't always see the big picture that God sees.  We only see a snap shot.

Ponder this.  What is the most evil event of human history predestined by God and the best thing to ever happen for man?  The crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  This is an example of an event where evil and pain were necessary for the greater good.  How can we appreciate true joy, if we have never experienced real pain?

The point is, we cannot control life but we can keep hope alive by having faith in God and trusting Him to walk with us through the good times and the bad.

Today ended with Ecclesiastes 5:7.  We meet every Tuesday and next week we will discuss 5:8-6:12: The purpose of money.  Oh that should be fun.  If you read my post titled, Money Comes and Money Goes  then you know what I'm talking about.