The other day I was driving in town and as I was stopped at a light, I heard my oldest son say, "Mommy, what's that girl doing over there with no clothes on"? "WHAT?!", I shouted, looking over to see what he was talking about. Sure enough, there was a girl sitting in a chair wearing a really skimpy bikini (practically no clothes on, right?) next to a drive-thru coffee shop. I don't remember the name of the drive-thru but it was probably something like Cowgirl Coffee or Bikini-Bottom Espresso. :-) Anyhow, this really upset me so I decided to do something about it. The next day I drove through and warned them (as nicely as I could) that if they didn't keep their half-naked employees inside their shop that I was going to make a complaint to the city and that I probably wouldn't have any problems getting other women and mothers to join me. To my surprise the employee was very nice, apologized and agreed that they shouldn't be doing that.
This was a learning experience for me because as I began to calm down from being so worked-up over what I had just done & experienced, I was convicted of the many things I see or hear every day that I don't take a stand for. If I can do something as easy as this why can't I stand up for my Lord and God when someone speaks ill of Him or says His name in vain. Hearing God's name in vain is something that is taken so lightly now and we have become so callous to it. Exodus 20:7 says, Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. I realize that we live in a sinful world and it's impossible to avoid sin but the Bible says that although we, as Christians, live IN this world we are not to be OF it. Romans 12:2 says And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The more I began to ponder all of this I began to feel ashamed for not being more Christ-like to that gal at the coffee shop. Where was my compassion and mercy? At the time all I could think of was how disgusted I was. I need God's grace to help me see people's hearts as He does. People need the Lord and I need to remember that's why I am here...to be an example for Him and be used for the furtherance of His gospel. Thankfully, God forgives and He HAS offered his grace. Ephesians 2:8 says, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
I'm thankful to be a child of the one, true God who shows endless mercy and always brings me back to the big picture. Are you a child of God?
