You Think You’re Independent?

What do you have which was not given to you? If you are tempted to feel entitled to life, consider this:

You did not ask to be born. In fact, for the first several months, you could not walk, talk, or even roll over. You had no self-awareness for the first months, perhaps years of your life. Your only means to communicate was crying or non-verbal actions. That first breath of air you took, was a free gift to you. You had nothing to do with your conception, first heartbeat, and birth. It was the gift of life.

For the first part of your life, you had to be carried because you could not walk. You were fed, changed, and bathed by your parents or caretakers.

You had no choice in your family history, genetics, size, shape, hair, eyes and skin color, nationality, continent, social status, religion, gender, or parents or siblings, to list a few. Hopefully you were cared for, loved, fed, and nurtured in a loving environment. If you were, you were blessed, because many children are not.

If you had a roof over your head, food on the table, clothes to wear and money to buy more, once again you were rich.

If you had health of body and mind, were able to learn, as well as sent to a school for education, remember it’s not to your credit, but a gift.

If someone took the time to teach you to take a bath, brush your teeth, and comb your hair be thankful. They have just taught you self-respect and self-worth.

If someone took the time to teach you right and wrong, to control your attitudes, that’s huge. You are largely what you were taught to be.

If someone took the time to teach you to work and stay with a job until it is finished, you have learned responsibility, and have become an asset to society.

If someone trusted you enough to give you a job or take you as a journeyman, it means someone taught you to be trustworthy and you are blessed.

If with all the training you have received, and you are able to keep a job, be thankful. When you come to the end of the week and receive your wages, count your blessings for the ability and health to work.

If the banker decides you are trustworthy and gives you a loan, it won’t be because you deserve it, but because he is willing to take a risk and trust you. For many in the world have no money to put in a bank, or even have one near them.

If with what you have been given, you find someone who loves you and wants to marry you, don’t take love for granted. Love cannot be bought, sold, or earned; it is given and received.

If the sun shone and warmed the earth so your flowers or crops could grow, or the rain fell to water the soil, and you have a bountiful harvest, thank the Lord for the sunshine and rain.

When you come to the end of life, and someone else takes care of you, remember many in the world do not have that luxury. They die alone. And then when your eyes close in death, someone else will carry you to the cemetery and bury you. Whither you are the richest or the poorest man, you will take nothing with you except your faith.

When you have left this world, the only thing you will leave behind are memories. All your accomplishments and earthly possessions will be left to another to use and enjoy.

Salvation and peace of mind is also a free gift, which cannot be earned. God gave His Son; the price was paid and it is free for the taking. You cannot save yourself by anything you can do.

So, what have you received in life that was not given to you? As the saying goes, “There is no free lunch.” Someone had to sacrifice for you every step of the way through life. There is no real, self-made man.

We say there are many things that we cannot change about our lives, yet there are things that we can do, and those are the things that will make the difference now and in eternity.

What I can do:
Make wise choices.
Ask for advice.
Listen.
Live for the good of others .
Invite the Lord into my life.
Practice patience.
Treat others with kindness, like I would like to be treated.
Choose to live life to its fullest.
Read the Bible.
Pray.
Share with others.
Speak gentle words.
Work hard.
Spend wisely.
Give to the Lord.
Trust God.
Freely give.
Accept life.
Change my attitude.
Be thankful.

I can exchange:
Love for hate.
Forgiveness for resentment.
Good for evil.
Contentment for discontentment.
Peace for fighting.
Let go instead of holding on.
Praise instead of criticism.
Words of peace instead of angry words.

Freely ye have received, freely give.
Matthew 10:8b

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32