indulged

Saturday, November 25, 2017 (6:22 a.m.)

Holy God,

Good morning. And thank You.

“Treat with excessive kindness”; an early 17th century sense to the Latin indulger ‘give free rein to’. Mm, yes Father. In this gist of the word, You indulge me regularly.

Thank You God. Thank You.

I woke up this morning considering myself quite spoiled. Indulged. And now I have an entirely different take on it all.

Turning to the prophet Ezekiel’s message “to the community of Jews already in Babylonian exile” (Illustrated Bible Handbook) my heart is springing to life with hope and joy. Chapter 18. Individual Responsibility. The Possibility of Change; 18:21-32.

“Imagine a person who lives well, treating others fairly, keeping good relationships…” (Ezekiel 18:5, The Message). Mm, yes Father. Imagine. 

It’s The Life Recovery Bible comment for verses 2-4 that has my head [heart and soul] nodding. “Many of us have suffered innocently at the hands of others; it is tempting to blame others for our problems and dependency. But it is never valid to blame others for the mistakes they or we have made.”

Yes, Father! We have to take responsibility for the choices we make. Thank You!

“We cannot change the behavior of others or how they treat us, but we can forgive them and put the pain of these experiences behind us.” Yes, Father, yes!

“Recovery requires that we accept responsibility for our own failures and do what we can to make amends to those we have harmed, thus breaking the chain of suffering in our family line.”

Breaking the chain of suffering! What sheer joy and hope to think about this possibility of change, Dearest Father. Mm. Yes!

You treat us with excessive kindness. Calling us to forgive others. Empowering and enabling us to do all You command of us.

Use me these next several days as an instrument of Your peace. Continue indulging me in promoting Your good and Your glory.

I love You Father. Thank You. Amen.

(334 words ~ 7:38 a.m.)