Blame is Easier.
Good Morning! Oh, wait, it’s already past noon. Well, anyway, happy Monday! No, no, that’s not right either it’s Friday the 7th of July. Nope, try again Patsy, it’s AUGUST. August? That means the last month of summer, and I was waiting for vacation to start. You know, trips to Disneyland, neighborhood barbecues, beaches, concerts, date night with hubby, etc.
I bet you find yourself from time to time in a muddle and/or a puddle. Or maybe you’re double-dipping and just not sure which came first the puddle or the muddle. All you know is this is not your idea of fun. Mine either.
Survival
I’m grateful God gave us instinctive survival skills (like Joseph), the potential for do-over attitudes, even after being swallowed by circumstances (like Jonah), and community spirit to try, try again (like Nehemiah).
I don’t think many of us are going to sport 2020 tattoos. In fact, collectively we’d probably say we want to paddle our skiff away from this calendar year as quickly as possible. But then we know the year didn’t cause the mess we are in, so we tend to do what Adam and Eve taught us to do—we blame.
Blame
Blame is a bad use of good energy. And a barrier to progress. It’s the devil’s most common ditch-digging tool because it potentially leaves us in a pit, depleted, divided, & disillusioned.
Accountability- that’s a whole other conversation. Accountability means having the hard, necessary conversations, making difficult choices for the right reasons, and walking in personal integrity, while not judging someone else’s intentions.
No doubt about it, blame is easier.
Caution
My caution for you and to myself is not to let my insecurities and emotions rule my choices and thought life. That means making sure I have carefully installed my security system, God’s Word, to guard my heart and my mind. Safety is first an inside issue between the Lord and us. To understand the love of God and his counsel we must know his Word, which reassures us, directs us, and protects us. Let’s stay as far away from judging and blaming as we can because they ignite dissent in our ranks. God’s bottom line is love. Always has been. Always will be.
Blessing
May the God of peace and mercy, grace and love overtake us in these difficult days, Patsy
This!!! I totally agree my friend! Thanks!
These sweetly shared reminders were perfect for me today. It is so easy to react before I have allowed the Word of God fill my heart and mind. Thank you for bringing me back to God’s basic lessons shared by Jesus about truth and love and faith and trust.
Thank you Patsy! I agree I try to stay out of the arguments but it’s been hard this year. When I feel overwhelmed God’s Word comforts & brings peace.
U-rok, Lady!
PS. Checked into the magazine and I think i probably have a few contributions for them.
Just reading this! Thank you for this great reminder and for sharing such courageous words of truth. Today I choose happiness despite everything that is going on around us. It’s whats in us that makes us brave through this all,The heart of Jesus and the Love of God
.One tablespoon at a time and with one foot in front of the other, let’s not only dance like no one is watching, but lets rejoice with the birds knowing we can’t see what there seeing.
May your week be filled with the kind of laughter that makes the belly tickle and peace that passes all understanding.
I sure do love you sister. Oh how I wish I could spend some time fellowshipping with you. I guess I’ll have to wait until we meet in heaven. ❤
Thank you, just what I needed today.
Thank you Patsy, may we all keep your words in our hearts. 💜💜
Thanks for sharing this truth. I need this today. I’ve been crying all morning and still going. I’m praying and praying. Just feel so alone and disconnected from everyone and even God. I’m trying to practice patience with God, but I’m feeling so broken and alone.
And that’s exactly how I feel this day. And here I thought I was alone!
Very tough times for most of us! The conversations are ugly and the blame even worse. Thankfully we have God. Everyday, all day. From the beginning to the end He knows the story and how it will be completed. Thank you Patsy for your soothing, hits the spot, words of comfort and hope! 💖💖
Hang in there D Thompson. I can relate to your feelings about feeling so alone and disconnected. Yesterday was a difficult day for me as well. Look for a connection-call someone. I don’t know about you, but I’m guilty of waiting for others to reach out to me. Sometimes we have to make that first move.
This was exactly what I needed for this crazy time we are ALL experiencing. Some want to dismiss 2020 all together, but in my thoughts, God is teaching us something! Accountability,? Finding our own integrity? Love? You pick?
I’m sure all three !! it’s an eye opener to not go to the blame game… armor up it’s going to get bumpier, But knowing our Lord is alway always there gets me through!
Thanks for this little read!!❤️
Wow! Thank you so much. Your words could not gave come at a better time in my life. Iam thousands of miles from family due to the virus. Daily I vasilate between fear and anger. It is easy to put on a happy face, but underneath I am a mess. I have missed you lately, but so blessed to see you again.
Thank you
Sue
Just going over the stop judging this morning with God. This came at the right time for me. Thanks Patsy!
Bless you for sharing your God given wisdom, Patsy. Drastic times call for drastic measures. I believe, more than ever, that people need to hear Gods truth. Thank you for presenting it in a way that it can be processed with love, grace and humor. You are truly a light in this world that can sometimes seem dark. Love you, dear sister in Christ.
Blame is a bad use of good energy.
Oh, I needed to hear that today. Thank you!
You don’t know how much I needed this today..timing could not be more perfect…work related..please pray for me
Thank you 💖
Anita Sturch
Praise God for your inspiring words, Patsy!
God Bless you Mightily ^
Love In Christ,
Barbara Kirk
Such a good word, in this particular week for me especially! Thank you! I think people are getting squirrelly in body and soul and love is being abandoned for blame. Lord Jesus, please help us to love, me to love, no matter what, above all, forever and more and more.
I adore you Patsy💖Thank you for always speaking to my heart💖
We will get through this stronger and better than ever🙏🌻🥰🌻🙏
Love you!
Patsy😘
Thank you Patsy! Your words of wisdom, as always hit home. I know that what you are saying is the bottom line for all issues in all of our human lives. I believe now that the world as a whole is so far gone into ME-ISSUM we think that everything matters and all our opinions matter and if everybody would shut up and listen to me, because I am right! There is no humility anywhere. Now that I have been studying the Bible more and watching less TV and playing less video games and I am in Porch Pals reading more books then I have ever done in my entire 55 years, I am exercising more eating better during this crazy time I have realized how self driven I have been. I have been hiding from my past. This Pandemic has brought out so much fear in me it has driven me to God at a deeper level. Shown me I have no real relationship with God. I have been blaming my family of origin. Well I am happy to say that Jesus is turning me into a humble person where I have realized what I have to say or what I believe doesn’t really matter. God is going to do what He wants to do no matter what anybody else is doing. I was just reading about Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.
Looking up that word meek in the dictionary and really looking at the word in other places in the Bible has shown me how I don’t want to be. How I want to be is like the men of old, following Jesus example. The word meek is translated into gentle, humble, not only in outward appearance but an inward disposition. Like Jesus. Jesus was naturally meek. Moses and David. Moses was so trusted by God. God spoke to him mouth to mouth…Numbers12:7,8. There is no man on this earth that we can follow right now so we have Jesus . Not fighting against God. But this whole world is fighting against God. That is what I am learning about and I am so thankful for you Patsy. I am learning so much its hard to take it all in some time but I know I am in the right place. I may have pain in the evening but joy comes in the morning.
Thank you
Cheryl Ann vanderZwaag
Patsy, You and I have been friends for a very long time and you didn’t know it. I’ve been a fan for many years after attending a Women of Faith conference long ago
in Dallas. I love your “spunk,” humor and wonderful faith!!
I’ve worked through this whole thing. People have been mean, they have blamed myself and my coworkers for everything, and been argumentative about everything. It’s made my ability to be graceful that much harder. I fail more often than I don’t, but pray every day for His help. Not my idea of fun either. Hoping and praying its over soon. Thanks for the wise words Patsy. I feel like you put this here for me. God Bless.
Thanks Patsy! 💕
I was blaming my husband for not trying to help me with my depression today. It isn’t JUST COVID-19 but we lost a dear friend this week to leukemia. His wife is a special friend as well. PRAYING FOR HER. We know he is much better off because he wanted to go home to Jesus his Lord and has no more pain.
I KNOW my needs are met from Jesus not my husband. Really needed a reminder so Patsy, thank you from me too!
……”making sure I have carefully installed my security system, God’s Word, to guard my heart and my mind.” These times call for all of us to be in God’s word in order to be able to monitor our hearts and our minds. I know that and believe that and strive for that every day. I want to be more in God’s word but am having a difficult time achieving that. Thank you for reminding me this once again and I pray my resolve is becoming more embedded.
Good word.
Patsy,
Your words aren’t always Spirit filled and Truth based. Grace pervades you’re sage advice. Thank you for this timely message. I needed it.
God bless you!
Elaine
Thank you for the encouragement and reminder that was sorely needed and welcome like a refreshing rain.
Well isn’t it just like you to bring it. And what is “it” you might ask? It, is Him. In a perfectly wrapped package, with a Patsy Bow.
It feels like a direct channel. From Him to me. But of course I know, so many others feel that way too.
Thank you for all the years of work that you have put in, to deliver a message so beautifully.
We can all rest in His love. Your words are a gift. Keep bringing it!
Thanks Patsy. You are and always have had wisdom with words. Keep us in stitches and love your words and encouraging words.
My husband said Covid is as if the Lord has said, “I want you all to go to your Rooms and just think about what you’ve been doing.” What are you doing with everything I’ve blessed you with: your american liberty. . .have you been a good steward?
Your precious children. . .are you raising them in the fear and admonition of the Lord? Are you sending them to Caesar and receiving back Romans?
Do you have a relationship with me without a building to go to every week?
What do you miss (what idols) most about the shutdown? Is it professional sports? Retail therapy? The foodie, wine bar and craft beer idols are taking a direct hit. Gluttony and sophisticated drunkenness.
2020 is a great year. It is giving us 2020 vision on ourselves. It’s a priceless and invaluable and necessary gift from God.