Seed Thoughts

//Lynette Hagin

Life seems to pass so quickly these days. I remember as a child, I thought the school year would never end. I so looked forward to the summers, but it seemed that  they would never come. September to May passed so slowly. Now, even the children say that the months pass by quickly. In the midst of the pressures of life, it is easy to begin focusing on the negatives that life presents.

 

I want to encourage you this month—and really, to urge you to make it a habit—to focus on positive things. We need to focus on good things and be thankful for our blessings. Your world may be rocking, and you may be thinking, “I can’t think of anything positive happening to me right now.”

Do you have the use of your arms and legs? Then you have something to be thankful for. Some people do not have the use of their limbs. Do you have a sound mind? Be thankful—there are those who do not. Do you have a house to protect you from the elements? Be thankful—there are those who have no shelter. Are your children healthy? Be thankful. Some parents have children dealing with terminal diseases. Do you have food to eat? Be thankful. There are people dying of malnutrition.

When I am tempted to have a pity party because of some situation, I begin to look at the things in life that we often take for granted, and I say, “Thank You, Father.” A few years ago I fell and fractured my shoulder, and my arm was immobile for several weeks. I quickly realized the limitations of having one arm. Since that time, I have made it a point to be thankful for my arms and not take for granted things that seem to be “life as usual.”

We also need to dwell on positive things in the lives of our family members. Healthy relationships with our spouse, children, parents, and other relatives are important. We were all born into a family, and God’s intention was that families have strong bonds. Of course, many times that bond is not strong because all in the family may not be Christians. However, I have seen strife, discord, and even estrangement in Christian families.

It is so important to put away disagreements and contention and reconnect with your family. Forgive each other for hurtful words that might have been spoken. And ask for forgiveness if you were the offender. My father-in-law told this story about two families in a church he pastored many years ago.

A member of one family said, “Brother Hagin, I don’t understand. My family is faithful to attend church and volunteer, and faithful to tithe. Yet it seems that we are always sick and something is always going wrong. And that family” (the woman mentioned another family in the church) “is not faithful to come to church, they volunteer very little, and they tithe only occasionally. But they never seem to be sick and things go well for them. Can you tell me why, Brother Hagin?”

My father-in-law replied, “Of course, I could not tell you definitely without God revealing the reason to me. However, there are principles you need to look at set down in the Word of God.” He continued, “I’ve observed that the family you are referring to is always quick to repent and quick to forgive.” The woman concurred. “Oh yes, they always instantly repent and quickly forgive. However, my family does not forgive easily. In fact, we remember anything that anyone has ever done to us.”

Brother Hagin said, “I think you have just answered your own question. The Word of God teaches us that we must be quick to forgive others. Mark 11:25 says, ‘And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.’ ” That story is indelibly stamped on my mind. After he told it, Brother Hagin would say, “Mark 11:23 and 24 will not work for you unless you practice Mark 11:25.”

As the holidays approach, I want to encourage you—if you have let disagreements and misunderstandings affect your relationship with your family, forgive them and reconnect. Lay aside any differences and accept them for who they are. Love them in spite of the hurts and disappointments you may have experienced. God loved mankind even though His creation messed up miserably. He sent the very best gift He had, His Son, to redeem us. Why should we not do the same in return to those who have disappointed and hurt us? Forgive and reconcile, and you will find that a stronger bond can be established in the years to come.