Sharing

I was born an identical twin. My sister and I looked exactly alike as we were growing into adulthood. I don't remember ever being without Terry when we were at home. The school wouldn't let us be in each others class but everywhere else we were together. Most of the time we loved it this way. Most of the time we didn't mind sharing each others space and anything we had. We would tell each other everything as well. We were open books to one another. 

As we grew into adulthood and started moving in different directions, that changed. Don't get me wrong, we still were close but as we started dating and then moving on into marriages and different homes there were lots that we did not share. We had private things from one another. It became even worse when Rodney and I moved to Indiana, leaving Terry behind in Kansas.

We did not like that this was happening but nothing could be done about it. We were busy making homes and families of our own. Then Terry died. After the funeral her daughters and I went through some of her things. They wanted me to take some items that I felt were special. While I was trying to decide what I could take that would go back on the plane with us I discovered so many wonderful things about her that I had not known before. She was a poem writer and had drawn some wonderful sketches. She had not shared these things with me because, her girls told me, she didn't think she was good at either. This made me even sadder. I wish that I had shared myself with her more so that she could have felt comfortable enough to share more of herself with me. That is a regret that I will carry till she and I can be back together in heaven.

Our world is like that. We don't feel adequate or we feel that someone else is not.  We feel like we have nothing that we are good enough at to share. Or we have drawn into our personal lives so much that we don't want to share. We are not the kind of friends that make others want to show their true selves to. We are not the kind of friend or neighbor that shows Christ, and His love, to others. 

The scriptures are pretty frank about this issue.....

Galatians 6:2-3

The Message (MSG)

Nothing but the Cross

6 1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

Hebrews 13:16

The Message (MSG)

16 Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.

Christ brought all that he was to this earth. He lived, and died, for others. He gave himself daily. He was the example that we all need to be. He shared God the Father with everyone and others couldn't wait to share who they were with Him. People were drawn to Him because He went out of His way to make them comfortable enough to be themselves. He was the only perfect man on this earth, yet He was the least judgmental of any man on this earth. 

I know that we all have regrets about someone or something. But if Jesus doesn't judge us why are we so hard on ourselves? So hard we think we have nothing to give. Hey we are forgiven children of God.  He sees us as perfect. He sees us as people He wants to spend time with. We need to show the same love to others around us so that they can feel the same worth we should be feeling. 

Also let's not get ourselves so involved in our own little part of the world that we miss out or become so self absorbed that we don't see the wonderful gifts from the people that God has placed all around us.

No regrets!!!

Blessings!