So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
-James 1:19-20
One day back a couple of months ago, I was hiking a small section of the Appalachian Trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I remember it being a cold and very windy day. Somewhere along the way I came across a local resident of the four footed kind. A smelly little fellow aka... a skunk! I could smell him long before I got to him so I know someone or something before me didn't fair to good. When I saw him I snapped a few pictures (at a very safe distance) using my 100-400mm wildlife lens. Then I walked WAY around him giving him the path and plenty of room. Skunks are a beautiful animal on the outside, but boy do they stink on the inside!
Here recently I've thought about how sometimes my attitude can really stink about certain things. Every day (especially after waking up in the morning) I examine myself to see if I'm pleasing the Lord with my life and attitude. Many times I honestly have to tell myself no and work on getting back on track. I know that selfishness is the culprit more times than not, and I ask God to help me battle it daily.
The devil whispers in our ears constantly that we deserve this or that, and that we need to get ours. And if we don't keep a check on our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to protect us, we can find our attitude beginning to stink real quick. When our attitude stinks, we find people walking WAY around us just like I did with that skunk. I want people to see Christ in me and not feel like they have to keep their distance from me.
Be a blessing, not a stinker.
Isn't it neat to see all the lessons that we can learn about life just by observing and enjoying God's creation. The weather finally seems to be warming up so go outside and enjoy the things that the Lord has made, even if it's just in your own backyard!
In Christ,
Kevin-