Ephesians 5: 15 So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely. 16 Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times. 17 So do not be foolish but learn what the Lord wants you to do.

Ephesians 4: 32 Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.

Funny huh, how things come at just the right time? I tell you all, I have been having kind of a pity party the last few days. I have been thinking about how I don't have a close friend here in Oklahoma right now. I have been thinking about how I have made people feel unloved and how others have made me feel unloved. I have been thinking about how selfish we all are. And... I have been thinking about how my husband is many miles away and unable to distract me from all this thinking. And then, I was reading my devotional this afternoon. In it, the author questions how we can daily be people who extend grace to others and to ourselves. At the end of her writing she challenged us to do something nice for someone who has hurt us and/or to do something for someone who cannot return the favor. This was the Lord speaking to my very heart, helping me to learn what He wants me to do. Jesus forgave me when I did not deserve forgiveness. And He calls me to do the same for others. Forgiving someone I do not want to forgive or who has hurt me is one way I can use every chance I have for doing good. Doing good means letting go of all the hurts I have been thinking about lately. It is letting go of all the expectations I have for people. All I need to do is be kind and love them, whether or not they return my favors or love me back. Doing good is giving into the lives of others when I have the chance and when I can actually plan to do it.

Living wisely means following God's Word, all of it. I better get back to reading. I know I have a few more lessons to learn.