Is it reasonable for God to expect me to give when I was not given to? To give when there is no likelihood of receiving in return or even being appreciated for having given?
YES!
First: ” This is the example of what love (Agape) is, that when I was his enemy Jesus died for me! I John 4:10, Romans 5:8
Second: I am told that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35
Third: My reward is from the Lord not from the person I am ministering to and the Lord’s rewards are great. Also, I am his child and like all children, I am trying to copy my Daddy, My Daddy is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil, sending his rain and sunshine on both. Luke 6:32-38
I have often found myself in a situation of trying to give my children what I never was given. This is hard because, in the very giving, I am reminder of what I lost out on and how sweet it would have been. Also it is a struggle because I do not have a clear experiential picture of how to do it. Still, would I want to ignore my children because I was ignored? NO! It is a blessing from the Lord to find grace to give.
I have also found that when I give time and love and guidance to my children, they seem to take it for granted and do not realize how hard it is.
I also found that when I was not able to involve my children in a healthy relationship with their grandparents and uncles and aunts because my family was not safe or interensted; that it is hard for them to relate to me as a grandparent as fully as I might wish.
Still, if my goal is to be like Jesus, his example is definitely to being treated “unfairly”. He gives even when there is not likelihood of return.
I need to bear in mind that my “paycheck” comes from the Lord and I will never outgive him. He will never wind up owing me. If I was hired to spy on a fast food place for another company and went to work at minimum wage at the fast food, but was paid $50 an hour from the other company; I wouldn’t complain if my fast food check was low. Colossians 3:23,24
I need to remember that each generation will be rewarded or judged on it’s own choice to follow God, or not. I can not get off the hook just because the last generation did not do it’s part, or the next generation takes it for granted. The, “cards dealt out to me” are from the Lord and include the family and time I was born into. Even if they meant them for evil, my Lord means it for good.
Lord, thank you for the inequities of life. Help me to walk them with you so that you may bring the good you intended from them to fashion me into your image and give me compassion for others.
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