---"Thank You, Lord Jesus, for loving me and dying so I can have eternal life with You. Please show me if and when I put other things before You, my Rock and my Redeemer. In Christ's Name."
---"Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them." ---[Psalm 62:10 / NIV] --
---WHEN MY husband, Kevin called to say the insurance company totaled our Cadillac after a deer rammed it, I sighed. (Ok,, I cried.) We'd only had that cherry-red beauty for ten weeks. It was a gift from Jesus--through friends who's recently purchased a new car. The prettiest, fanciest vehicle we'd ever owned. And I loved it.
Every time someone complimented the Caddy, I'd say, "Jesus gave us that car" or "It was a gift." I didn't want anyone to think we were getting rich from Kevin's salary as a pastor or my writing royalties. Even so, my heart filled with pride whenever I drove it.
I was not happy when we had to go car shopping. I knew we'd never find another vehicle I loved as much with our insurance money. We settled on a boring blue SUZ that seemed able to withstand future deer collisions. But it was only a car, not my adored Cadillac.
While praying a few days after purchasing our SUV. I finally admitted that the luxury car had made me feel important, special, and significant. Jesus's voice in my heart gently reminded me, 'You were important and special before you owned the Caddy and after you lost it. Your possessions don't define you. I do--and I love you dearly.'
I'm certain Jesus didn't cause that deer to crunch our Cadillac to prove His point. He has nothing against us owning pretty things, as long as we don't love them--like I did. I thanked Him for not rebuking me for my prideful attitude. He simply loved me and brought me back to where I belong: with my eyes on Him. ~~
--"You are loved with an everlasting love and underneath are His everlasting arms."
--Guideposts/JL~ ~~~~~~~~~~
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
