February 19                                           Genesis 42:  1-17; 1 Corinthians 5:  1-8;

                                                                           Mark 3:  19b-35

                      

 

“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  If a house is divided against itself, that house can not stand.  And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he can not stand; his end has come.” (Mark 3:  24)

 

“In fact, no on can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man.”  (Mark 3:  27)

 

The readings from Genesis 42: 1-17, Corinthians 5: 1-8 and Mark 3:  19b-35, all speak to: a house divided, mistrust, perceptions leading one to question another close them, needing verification of truth, the perception of what is wrong to one, and what is morally unjust and punishable by God.

 

These things have been a part of my life for the last two years.  They have taught me much about myself and my strength and my faith.  When it comes down to the darkest hours and places in my life, I turned to God for guidance … not others.  I felt my house could not be divided when I put my trust in God, because He would not lead me down a wrong path. God has given us the ability to be strong and to protect ourselves.  No one can tear us down unless we allow ourselves to be bound by others judgment.   Even those who are closest to me could question or judge me, but the only one I really cared about was God’s judgment … which never seemed like judgment but only guidance.  

God keeps opening doors for me to take a direction, that only a short time earlier I could have never imagined on my own.

 

Even in my darkest hours, I have been exceedingly grateful and started writing about those things and people for whom I was and am grateful.  The more I wrote, the more I started seeing how many more things and people I was grateful for.  My gratitude list grows each day.  And each day more great things come to me.  And then I ask those who cast their judgments upon me … how could I be so wrong and still have so many blessings and so much love bestowed upon me by God, friends, family and people whom I barely know?

 

 

~ Don Tuttle