Good morning everyone!

I awakened at 5:30am and decided to read my Bible.  I read Galatians chapters 1 through 5 and stopped around verse 20.    This particular scripture stood out to me and convicted me.

Galatians 5:14-15
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”   If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

It has already started this year.  Remember my last post was about having a thankful heart.  I was preaching to myself of course.   I am SOOOOO thankful for the blessings God has given me.  I truly am!  I thank Him daily for all that He has done for me and given me … but … it is the constant interruption by strangers at my door that just seem to push my buttons sometimes.

I think the pressure of answering corn maze emails all day is getting to me.   I love my computer, but only on my terms.  I do not like being forced to answer piles of emails and calls.   It isn’t like going to a 9am to 5pm job because most people can leave their work … this can’t be escaped for a couple of months.   Anyway … thankful heart … thankful heart … I know.  I know.    I remember what it was like working a public job.  I would have never imagined how busy I would have been just being at home.   My friend Tamara asked me the other day if I just have time to rest.   I guess I have the same amount of time allotted to everyone else … but I just need to make myself.

Now, back to buttons being pushed …

In two days I had 3 different strangers approach me.   I was kind and gracious to two of the intrusions uh, visitors (on the outside though my heart wanted to continue my work).  One couple pulled up as I was feeding my chickens.  I was in a hurry because I had a business call coming in and had already played phone tag with this person.   They were travelers from Louisiana — a farmer and his wife on vacation here in NC.   They just wanted to know about our farm, etc …  OH my!  I DID NOT HAVE TIME for them.  I really didn’t.    When my phone rang I told them I was waiting for the call and had to take it, but they didn’t offer to leave — so I had return the call again.   I was really frustrated!

Love your neighbor as yourself …

When they finally left and I was able to make the phone call — guess what happened?   ANOTHER man started ringing our doorbell.   I decided that I was NOT going to answer the door.   This call had been interrupted enough and he would just have to go away.  I didn’t have a clue who he was.  He wouldn’t leave though!  Seriously, there was no reason for him to think I was home because nothing electronic was on in my house.   He rang the doorbell then walked around my yard.   He came back to the door … and did the same routine a few times.  I was about to scream.   Hello — what if I had been in the shower?   People just pop into our drive and home like pop corn — totally unannounced.  Sometimes it just isn’t convenient.    I sat in the hallway on the phone as the man stalked my home until he finally left.  It was so strange.

Love your neighbor as yourself …

Hebrews 13:2
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

Oh I need help in this department.  I need to be more gracious and inviting sometimes.  I am usually wrapped up in my schedule and see the piles of things that I am neglecting.  The doorbell ringing just stops everything.

I’m just being transparent.

Oh how I need to marinate in His Presence.  Marinating makes us become softer and sweeter. 

Am I alone in this or would it bother you if strangers were always coming to your door?

I really wouldn’t get a door mat like this … though I do feel this way sometimes.  It makes me giggle.

Please forgive me for showing the ugliness and selfishness of my heart.  I do feel convicted …  and friends who pop in — I am NOT referring to you!  Ha ha.