Reflection for Thursday, March 1, 2018

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
JER 17:5-10
PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6
LK 16:19-31

The bible teaches us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thy own understanding, but in all thy ways, acknowledge him and he will direct thy paths.  It is important in life to always acknowledge God, for he is the one who made us.  Trusting in him in times of trouble is what we as human beings need to fully understand.  Although, people come into our lives for a reason, a season and or a lifetime, but God promises that he will never leave us, nor forsake us.  Placing our trust in man is temporary, but God is eternal. 

When I lost my mother in 2006, I would ask myself. How would I be able to move on in life?  It was through the prayers and quiet times with the Lord that comforted me during those difficult times.  Many people were there in the beginning, but in the moments alone, I had to find strength in the Lord.  I truly had to give my emotions over to the Lord and take it one day at a time.  Many people only trust and believe in God when things are good, but we also need to learn how to praise him in the difficult times. As believers, if we delight ourselves in the Lord, he will give us the desires of our hearts. 

In Luke Chapter 16, the bible teaches us that the Pharisees had a great love for money.  This is another way the enemy tries to distract us from God, by focusing on the finer things in life.  I have always kept things in perspective because my mother taught us that money is the root of all evil.  More importantly, God knows the hearts of people and is not impressed with the outward appearances of wealth.  It is wonderful to have nice things in life, but remember not to put THINGS before God.  In Matthew 6:33, the word of God says to “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness and ALL these things shall be added unto you.”  I have always been the type of person to judge others by their heart, and not be moved by materials things in life. Unfortunately, we cannot take these things with us when leaving this earth. I am grateful for many things in life and thank God for the smaller things such as: food, shelter and clothing.  While growing up, we didn’t have the finer things in life.  My mother raised three beautiful daughters and always made sure we had a warm place to stay, food to eat (which may not have been fancy dinners, but mayonnaise sandwiches, and vienna sausages were the best). Our clothing was not name brand or made of fine linen, but we had clothes on our back.  We learned to always appreciate what we had. We never looked down on anyone.

In closing, I know that it is through God’s grace and mercy, that I am able to stand today. More importantly, I am not defined by things, but by exemplifying the fruits of the spirits and having a continued relationship with God.

Regina Walton is Executive Assistant in the Office of Diversity & Community Engagement.