Love Disregarded
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Acts 19:23-41 and Psalm 29:1-11 (NIV)
(Elizabeth Ong Ling Lee from Small Group Ministry)
READ:
The verse “Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due his name” (Psalm 29:2a) spoke to me.
OBSERVE:
The psalmist has truly helped me to understand the importance of ascribing everything that I do to God. The psalmist honoured God for what He had done and gave Him all the glory. The psalm tells us that God’s hand is everywhere. His power is seen in the water, in the land and in the air. His blessings are especially seen in the peace He gives His people.
APPLY:
I was reminded of a Thanksgiving dinner to honor our domestic helper, who was retiring after 19 years with us. It was supposed to be a happy event but my youngest daughter, aged 22 at the time, openly showered so much affection on my helper and expressed sadness about her departure that I felt ignored throughout the dinner.
The thought that ran through my mind at that moment was that our helper was more a mother to her than I was. I was definitely not happy that my daughter had somehow forgotten the love and years of care that I, her mother, had given her. Surely, I deserved better. Alas, I must, like the psalmist, find peace in God and ascribe the blessing of having a loving daughter to the glory of God.
DO:
I have to learn to be constantly mindful and appreciative of what God has done for me in all areas of my life.
I will shift focusing on myself to praying for my children’s spiritual safety.
PRAY:
Dear God, thank You for allowing me to go through this hurtful episode, as it has helped me to understand Your pain and hurt when we fail to ascribe to You the glory that is due to You. Please help me to be mindful and appreciative of what You have done for me. Help me to be the same to others in my life as well. Help me to forgive anyone who fails to do this for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.