If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 NKJV

Attention!!

When God wants to get your attention, He will. On my desk were my Bible, workbook, and half a small glass of soda, and my young kitty. I know, that spells “trouble”!

 As I was filling out my answers, the kitty was playing “try to steal the pencil.” My answers were barely legible but we were having fun.

 I had just finished writing out 1 Peter 3:3-4. These two verses spoke about having your beauty not coming from outside adornment, but rather it should be of your inner self; the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God’s sight. I was laughing at her when her paw reached up and turned over my soda. Now I’d like to say that my unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit was exemplified in my response along with all of the fruit of the Spirit—especially self- control—but I got angry!

 It is rare for me to get angry. I’m uncomfortable feeling angry. So WHY did I explode? No, there were no bad words, but I loudly told her how angry I was with her, and she hid from me. When she peeked around the corner to see if it was safe to come out and play again, I yelled loudly, “I am still MAD at you, get OUT OF MY SIGHT!” and she would slink back to her hiding place. I cleaned up my desk, the floor, and wiped off the dog under my desk who received most of the soda on his back. (Hmm, maybe it was NOT an accident!).

I went back to my “virtuous woman” Bible study. Turning the page, the heading was “Character. It is who we are when no one is looking.” Groan. I can’t help but wonder if I would have responded in the same manner if anyone else had been home. This gave me an abrupt reflection in the mirror of the Word that was NOT PRETTY! I did not like what I saw. It was hard to believe I could act that unhinged, especially when part of the problem was not accepting my responsibility in the matter. Kitty just wanted to be with me…and accidentally (wink) spilled my soda. It was not a “normal” reaction and yet the Lord got my attention to reveal something ugly in me that I needed to address. (Yuk, take it away, Lord). Thank You, Lord, for getting my attention.

 Lord, trying to live the Christian life in our own strength is just futile and frustrating. Search my heart, my anxieties, see if there is wickedness, test me, and lead me to live and walk in Your Spirit, and yield to Your will.