Living in Cleveland has been one of those teachers that I mentioned in one of my past posts. It has been a real eye opener in the area of how you treat others and being in the heart of scripture country can be very deceiving if you know what I mean.
One would think that living where the word of God is preached as much as it is here in Cleveland that
Living God's word and hearing God's word are worlds apart, to live it brings in that ugly word that I mentioned earlier in one of my writings, sacrifice. In order to live the word of God we must put ourselves in the background, God tells us in His word to not think more of ourselves than we ought to but in spite of that it seems that here in Cleveland a lot of that kind of thinking is going on.
For instance, I have had several experiences with the resale stores where my items were just not "good" enough for their store although they were "name" brands which they always insist on. Think about this, someone's name is in your clothing, no one sees it, it's just a tag that you wish wasn't there anyways because they usually itch so bad and make you miserable but you want it there, does this make you feel that you are worthy to wear this person's brand although no one knows it but you. Do you pay mega bucks for "name" brand purses, shoes, etc. when no one cares what you are carrying or wearing on your feet but you pay the price and what for, pride, yes, pride.
Pride is when we think more of ourselves than we ought to think and yes, it happens more often than not. If we read God's word we find that He hates this and how can we please the Lord when we disobey and do things that He hates.
I had an experience the other day that made me pause and think. I am in the process of moving and have to thin myself out so that I will fit into the new house so I decided to take some of my "name" brand purses (bought at thrift stores) to a resale shop here in Cleveland, I knew they only dealt with name brands or nicer handbags so that's what I picked out to take. I had Stone Mountains, Aigners, Fossil, etc. so I thought I would be able to get rid of them, not so, they didn't measure up to the "higher" standards of the store personnel. I have a routine that I do before I take anything to a resale shop, I make a visit and look over their stock to make sure that mine measures up to what they are selling so I won't be embarrassed when I show up with "inferior" merchandise but so far that is what happens. I have been turned down several times because my items were inferior to their superior taste.
Granny says get over yourself, how do you get to decide what people will or will not buy as long as it is in good shape? And insulting your customers is certainly a no-no. I worked in the retail industry for many years and the customer pays your salary and don't forget it. At one resale shop here in town which I won't mention has insulted my sister several times by telling her that maybe she should shop at Target that maybe she could afford things there. Is this because they only want customers who have the prideful, heady, high minded attitude as themselves. Get real, how do they know that my sister isn't a millionaire. Some people refuse to wear their wealth but choose to keep it to themselves. But when pride becomes your favorite attire you will choose to make it as your outer apparel.
God help us to be more considerate of others feelings by treating them the way we would want to be treated, that is the only way that will pass God's inspection and we certainly want to pass that test.
Pride cometh before a fall and one thing about God, He always keeps His word, what He promises He will deliver.
So if we choose to be full of something let us be full of the love of God and not ourselves because the latter will definitely make us sick!
Granny here, just saying!
Amen Sista!
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