I don’t know about you, but I have this tendency to put a face/name to things I hear. For instance, when I am listening to a sermon, I will often think of who I wish was sitting next to me in the pew, because I know that they would really benefit from that particular message. Lately I have been reading Proverbs because I am needing an extra measure of wisdom for some things I am going through. But as I have read the Proverbs, I think each one applies to many different people that I know. So in so is proud, and so in so doesn’t listen to good counsel, and you know who complains all the time. The funny thing is that, I will tell others how important it is to read their Bible because it is God’s word to them personally.  Hmmmm…. guess that doesn’t apply to me.  Does it? Because it seems to be God’s word to everyone but me. I love this verse from Psalm 19:12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. The funny thing is that I just read this verse a week or so ago, and it literally jumped off the page to me.  I read it and reread it, and it is one of those verses that will go into my memory bank to be used frequently…. as it pertains to others.

I am a very visual person, and I am convinced that when God is watching me, He shakes His head frequently. He very possibly lets out a long sigh, and looks up to ….. heaven?…. well maybe He just looks up. But anyway, I digress (I love that word…digress).

So today as I was reading Gods word to me… about everyone else… I realized that I need God to speak to me.  I can trust Him to speak to so in so and you know who about all the Proverbs that pertain to them. But the only one that will stand accountable to God for me, is me. Another thought that occurred to me is that when I am doing this, I elevate myself in my mind because I don’t act like that. Really? Hmmmmm…. I think a ton of introspection may be needed on my part.

My prayer for today is… God speak to me. When I read your word, show me things I need to change. Reveal my hidden faults and errors. And when someone does cross my mind in reference to your word, or through a sermon, help me to show them the same mercy that I desire from you. Help me to take a moment to pray for that person in love, and then to reread or rethink what I have heard, and see how it applies to me.  What I realize is that trying to change myself is a huge undertaking. It takes all my efforts and tons of help from God to see the most minuscule changes in myself. With that in mind, I truly don’t have time to try to change others or worry about things that I think they need to change.

Maybe, just maybe…. when people see changes in me…. it will help them reflect on things in their own  lives. Not really because of the greatness that is Marcie…. but because hopefully it is a change that reflects Christ. After all, that is ultimately my goal.