Haves and Have Nots

I don't suspect the cliche that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence is a cliche for no reason. I'm sure there is some statistical data that would show that we as humans focus on the negative more than the positive in a person, situation, or circumstance. It is said that for every negative statement we receive (or speak) there needs to be five positive to counter act that negative. Think about feedback or comments at work. More times than not we will receive a comment on something we have done wrong than something we did well. It seems it is easier to give criticism than encouragement.

Why do we tend to pick out the bad in another than the good?

The family member who doesn't parent the way we see fit.

The neighbor who appears unfriendly and never speaks.

The co-worker who claims is short and rude.

The friend who doesn't call or email anymore.

The house that hasn't sold. :-)

Or it is rather....

The family member who does the best with the skills they themselves were taught growing up.

The neighbor who is just very shy.

The co-worker who is overworked because everything is dumped onto him/her and stress abounds.

The friend who doesn't know how much he/she is needed.

The house that serves a mighty purpose and purposes unknown.

How many times do we look at the things we do not have or that another does have. I admit I'm guilty.

I do not have a successful marriage.

I do not have a husband (legally).

I do not have a ministry involving writing, speaking, and leading.

I do not have children.

I do not have a beautiful complexion.

I do not have two-sizes smaller figure.

I do not have a stress-free job.

I do not have a sold house.

But I do have...

Parents who love and support me unconditionally.

A brother who would do anything for me.
A grandmother who is alive, kicking and as healthy as a horse (praise God).

Two nieces who adore me :-)

A body that is healthy and functions in all parts.

A job that fulfills.

A house that shelters me.

Friends who bless me unimaginably.

A President who professes his faith in God.

A church that allows me to worship freely.

Cyber friends without I can't imagine journeying life.

A ladies small group from church that I cherish.

Finances that provide.

A vehicle for comfortable transportation.

A ministry through my words on this blog, through comments, and email exchanges.

Salvation from my Lord and Savior.

Eternal security in Heaven.

A God who provides ALL of these.

It can be a continual effort to focus on the haves rather than the have nots. It should be easy as it is a command from the Lord to not envy what another has. I believe we shouldn't envy what we don't have either. However, being a command from the Lord does not make it easy but it does give us great motivation.

The word "have" always brings to my mind the scripture that I have paraphrased "you have not because you ask not." You do not have, because you do not ask God. James 4:2b

That is not to say we will receive whatever we ask but yet...you conclude for yourself. It's one of those 'gray' scriptures much like Matthew 21:22. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

I'm not sure how to fully understand these scriptures among other similar ones. However, I try do as they say.

This may be my shortest post yet. Time, life, and my heart have not allowed me to write of late. I long for it though, as it is a real time of communing with the Lord for me.

So, I leave you with a short list of my haves and have nots. May I encourage you that if you, like me, struggle with focusing on the have nots instead of the haves (even if it's momentary), give each have not to the Lord. The Lord tells us to test Him with our tithes and see if He won't bless us more. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:10

I say "test" Him with your have nots and see if your haves don't increase. They may never increase in the areas or ways we wish or think, but He will open our eyes to see the haves we have [no pun intend :-)] and He will add to our haves in ways unimaginable.

Of course that word, unimaginable, reminds me of a verse very special to me because He fulfilled it (the verse) on 7/27/04 and 4/16/05 through the love of my life. So, I believe He will also do the unimaginable again one day. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20

My haves come from having Him,

(The picture is of my Crape Myrtle.)