“When You think You’re Not Stealing”

Father God, Let this touch someone’s heart today in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Ephesians 4:28
I would get upset if my grandchildren stole anything from the other siblings. I would put them in the corner and make them apologize to their siblings’ and return whatever they took. Well one Mother’s Day my adult children bought me some mums in a container. So, Mother’s Day I put them in the ground while everyone was sleeping. I was up that Sunday morning, and some old lady was digging up my Mums right after I planted them. I stood at the window in awe. How can this lady just think she can do this to me God? So, I let her go. When the children woke up, we ate breakfast and got ready for church. When we were leaving the mums became a big conversation piece between the children. They were asking why I didn’t put that lady in the corner. I had all I could do but laugh on the inside. But I told them she wasn’t my daughter or granddaughter, and she knew better. Well; we were in church, and Pastor Kerry was doing the sermon on stealing. That even if you pick a seed off someone else’s plant. This is stealing. Well, I started thinking. Hmm! I pick seeds off other people’s plants. Maybe pick a piece of Ivy that belong to someone else and brought it home and put it in water. Hmm! Or seed from a sego palm and pick it off someone’s bush near the street! Hmm! I was a thief. Never knew I was till this sermon! It spoke and shocked my heart at the same time. Hmm! I let that lady walk off with my Mums and I was no different than that lady. So, in my heart I knew I was no different than that lady. Hmmm! So, I don’t take anybody else’s clippings or seeds unless they give them to me, or I ask. I buy my own now. But you see how God can teach us a lesson and also through the Pastors lips to my heart. Hmm! I told my grandchildren what I did wrong. I asked God to forgive me and them to forgive me. They did. Plus, maybe that lady took my Mums because no one thought of her on Mother’s Day. I think God had to teach me a lesson. I prayed that wherever that lady planted them flowers that she would have an abundance grow. But you see the little things that we take for granted could be stealing. If we can’t ask, we don’t need it! I am sure glad they didn’t put me in the corner. Lol!
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, as I read through the many instructions we receive on godly living, guide me always to do good. Forgive me when I fail You. I am believing to walk with You and have Christ like behavior. I recognize that it is not an outside change in my outward behavior that is important, I need to change my inner being and do what is right in Your eyes. I want my life to reflect the light of Christ. Forgive me for the times I have stolen from others, not realizing that I was stealing. I believe in thought, word, deed, my actions and attitude would be pure, noble and would honor Your Name. Give me a generous spirit so I may be cheerful in my giving and compassionate in my heart towards others. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.