I decided to read out of my Life Application Bible today.   I love the way these verses are written and how they stir my soul!

I began reading in Matthew 5 where Jesus taught about retaliation.

Matthew 5:38-42
“The law of Moses says, ‘If a man gouges out another’s eye, he must pay with his own eye.  If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the one who did it.’  But I say:  Don’t resist violence!  If you are slapped on one cheek, turn the other too.  If you are ordered to court, and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat too.  If the military demand that you carry their gear for a mile, carry it two.  Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.”

I need these reminders sometimes!  I know we aren’t supposed to get revenge, but sometimes I need the encouragement to always give to those who ask.   Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE to give to others.  I give and I don’t keep a record of it.  Once I give — it is done and there are no strings attached.   My struggle is when people want to “borrow” my yard without asking.    My friends get good laugh out of the tales I share concerning our farm.

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We are on 80 acres of land smack dab in the middle of the city limits.  We have houses built all around us.   It works to our advantage when we open our farm to the public for our corn maze, pumpkin sells, and Christmas tree sells — BUT … it is the rest of the year that really pushes on my privacy button.

We have been married 24 years and basically have never had privacy.  Even before houses were built around us, farm workers were always in and out of our drive.  That meant no laying out in the sun for me.   And the only way you can imagine how many people just drop in at my  house — is to just sit with me for a day.  It truly is like Grand Central Station.    The other day my friend Ashley (who was only there about an hour) said, “I couldn’t stand this!”  She kept seeing people in and out of our drive.   Ha.  Tell me about it Sista!

… And don’t turn away from those who want to borrow …

Sigh … so this is a reminder to me.   I really do need God’s help to be more merciful with strangers who are always at my door.   I know … someone is going to say the right spiritual thing about God bringing people to me to share about Him.   I guess I need a slight attitude adjustment in the sharing my yard department.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a blessed weekend and please visit my friend below:

I am linking with Barbie for her Weekend Brew.