Gracefully Broken

I woke up at 10:30 this morning. An hour later than I wanted to. But, I was sleeping so well.

Today, I have a bill that needs to be paid that I don't have all of the money for, and I have to put $52 in the account by 2 PM tomorrow to get it paid. I can do that. No problem. If I work the daily pay apps well today.

Yesterday, I made about $40 on the daily pay apps, and I have about $292 on the Spark app coming to me, plus $10 in unconfirmed tips. I owe $840 today for my car rental, if I were to turn it in today. With the pay I get from Spark, I only owe $540. Which means I have to work extra hard for the next three days to make that money, plus the $151 I owe for bills next week.

I really could use some more help. I'm going as hard and fast as I can.

I never gave Phillippians 2:3 much thought before, until I heard a preacher preaching about it today. Then it hit home. THEN, I understood. Finally.

This one verse.

"...let each esteem other better than themselves."

This means that you should never EVER think that you are better than anyone. Even the stinking, raggedly dressed homeless guy on the street.

If you think, "Wow. He is SO much better than I am..." it becomes easier to serve him. "What can I do for you today, sir?" "Let me help you with that." "I am sorry this wasn't what you ordered, can I make you another one?" Ownership of the mistake. Ownership of the fact that you were created to serve, even those who are smaller, more worn, older, younger, handicapped, poor, lonely, broke, addicted...

I am no better than any of them. I cannot pass judgment. I can only help them to be better than they are by TREATING them better than the world treats them...

Because I need to be treated that way. That's Grace.

And, esteeming others as better than yourself is humility. Humbleness.

Lord, You came in the form of humility and grace to die on the cross and save me from my sinful self.

Help me to be more like You.

Please step in and make a way for the provision that I need to pay my bills. I am getting anxious again, and I don't want to be. I know I don't need to be. I need Your strength to do what needs to be done.

Be with my children and my lists.

Bless those who have helped me. Show my enemies grace and mercy. Remove their stumbling blocks from in front of me. You are the Way Maker.

Forgive me, as I learn to forgive others.

In Jesus's Holy Name I pray, Amen!

Philippians 2:3

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”