Discernment : Choosing to Speak Your Mind or Choosing to Be a Blessing

Have you ever studied your own genealogy? My family background is Irish and I thought it would be fun to share this little tidbit with all of you.

I have often been described as headstrong, a fighter, independent………Well, let's see. My maiden name is Williamson . My ancestors were Irish horse thieves back in Ireland. Yes, head strong. There's also a little bit of Scotish on that side too. (the fighter.) On Dad's side is Cherokee Indian and on Mom's side is French and Blackfoot Indian. (the independent) So yes, I can very well be described as head strong, a fighter and independent. I'm proud of it.

Problems arise though when faced with confrontation…… How to handle it?

The red headed Scotch-Irish in me says to, “pounce on them and give them what for!” The Cherokee and the Blackfoot….. sometimes I feel like scalping them! The French side just tells it like it is. Period. But as a Christian….Jesus wants me to handle things quite differently, and it's not always easy. In fact, it's down right hard.

In Luke 6:29 Jesus says, ” If someone strikes you on the cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking you tunic.” (NIV)

Deciding what to do, that's called discernment. Can I make the right decision?

Will I practice good judgement ? – Discernment

Turn the other cheek.

Forgive and keep mum. ” But God, I've got red hair! Let me at them!.”

Sometimes it takes everything I've got to turn around and walk away. I'm learning.

There's an old song made popular by Twila Paris and Gary Velenciano called , ” Warrior Is A Child.” The lyrics say…..

“They don't know that I come running home when I fall down

They don't know who picks me up when no one is around

I drop my sword and cry for just a while

Cause deep inside this armor

The warrior is a child”

It's comforting to know God is always with me. Whenever I need to, I climb into His arms and cry for just awhile. This warrior is yet but still a child.

So how do we handle conflict God's way? Choose to be a blessing for life! John Waller recorded a song called “The Blessing.” I heard this song early last Saturday morning, and God has used that along with Mark Schultz's “He Is” to remind me all week, that ” I'm still here. I'm still in control. I got this. Just do your thing and watch and wait.”

Schultz's song says:

“Father, let the world just fade away

Let me feel your presence in this place

Lord, I’ve never been so weary

How I need to know you’re near me

Father, let the world just fade away

Till I’m on my knees

Till my heart can sing

He is

He was

He always will be

Even when it feels like there is no one holding me

Be still, my soul

He is”

And then God reminds me…. when I'm face to face with those people who have chosen to speak their minds, when I'm hurt and want to lash back……

CHOOSE TO BE A BLESSING FOR LIFE!

Remembering what's really important……. Love, Family, Heritage, Legacy.

I choose to be a blessing for life.

They can't hurt me anymore.

I hold my head high and remember what we were taught: We love each other. We may not be perfect, but we've had some great role models in our heritage to teach us how to love: God, fathers, mothers, grand-parents. To all the ones who have gone on before us, they left us with their lessons and their legacy……. what legacy will we leave behind?

Walk away from confrontation, keep mum…..smile…..be at peace with God……

and choose to be a blessing for life!

Here are the lyrics to “The Blessing” by John Waller and Mark Hall:

 “Let it be said of us while we walked among the living

Let it be said of us by the ones we leave behind

Let it be said of us that we lived to be a blessing for life

And let it be said of us that we gave to reach the dying

Let it be said of us by the fruit we leave behind

Let it be said of us that our legacy is blessing for life

This day, You set life, You set death right before us

This day, every blessing and curse is a choice now

And we will choose to be a blessing for life

Let it be said of us that our hearts belong to Jesus

Let it be said of us that we spoke the words of life

Let is be said of us that our heritage is blessing for life

'Cause blessings and curses are choices

Will we build up, tear down? The moment of truth is now

For your kingdom, for our children

For the sake of every nation

For your kingdom, for our children

For the sake of every nation

We will choose to be a blessing for life”