1 Peter: Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing.
The wind of yesterday's musings was blowing, not physically, but recognizing the Spirit in others and accepting them as is. I should have read ahead to this little nugget from Peter.
Yesterday, it snowed and my oldest son and I met up to ski. There were about eight or nine inches of fresh powder and it was a blessing, not only to ski with my son but that he would ski with me. The other blessing was recognizing the sheer beauty of skis floating through fresh snow.
We went into the warming hut after a few runs, and another blessing was my son treating me to a cup of tea (I had forgotten my wallet). He went off to continue skiing with a friend and I went back to work. That's when the wind (metaphorically) started to blow.
I have a neighbor who rubs me the wrong way and likely I do the same for her. She was in the shop no less than four times yesterday asking for one thing or another, making suggestions of what I should carry in my shop, etc. Granted, her disturbance wasn't evil nor abusive, but instead of repaying the disruption with a blessing, I saw it as a self-serving nuisance.
Later that evening, I took a bath and noticed my knee didn't feel right. I went to sleep and woke with the inability to walk without pain. Not good timing to say the least, as I need to be mobile at least through the weekend.
Since everything happens for a reason, this has given me the opportunity to sit back (literally), and consider this wind from a different perspective. Perhaps viewing my neighbor as someone in need and asking for help. Perhaps asking for help is actually something I need to do more of. Regardless, I am sending her blessings because we all need help, and God bless her for asking.
March 9
Matthew: Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
Mark: He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him;
Luke: Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
John: Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”
Acts: All the people saw him walking and praising God,
Romans: What then? Are we any better off? No, not at all; for we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin,
1 Corinthians: For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.
2 Corinthians: For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of justification abound in glory!
Galatians: For this reason, those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed.
Ephesians: and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things;
Philippians: and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith.
Colossians: Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices
1 Thessalonians: How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?
2 Thessalonians: This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate.
1 Timothy: they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
2 Timothy: But they will not make much progress, because, as in the case of those two men, their folly will become plain to everyone.
Titus: But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Hebrews: where your ancestors put me to the test, though they had seen my works
James: With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.
1 Peter: Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing.
2 Peter: The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
1 John: Those who have been born of God do not sin, because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin, because they have been born of God.
Revelation: I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but are lying—I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.