BLESS THEIR SOCKS OFF
Today's reading: Daniel1:1-2:23, 1 Peter 3:8-4:19, Proverbs 23:10-16

"Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it." 1 Peter 3:9 NLT

Let's say, for purposes of this devotion, that there is a customer at the lumberyard that I DO NOT enjoy waiting on.

What so ever.

I cringe when I see him come in.

I hunker down at my desk when I see his vehicle pull up in the parking lot.

Let's call him, to protect his identity in case he really exists, 'Mr. Jones'.

When 'Mr. Jones' chooses to act rude, hateful and vile, God asks that I do my best to bless him.

No matter what 'Mr. Jones' says to me, God desires that I bless him.

Despite what 'Mr. Jones' dishes out, I am to serve him up a blessing.

I am to bless his ever-loving socks off.

It's going to take intent.

It's going to require patience.

It's going to ask of me more of myself than I probably want to give.

It's going to take creativity.

It's going to take compassion.

It's going to take obedience.

It's going to require that I weigh the reward of 'pay back' with the blessing God has in store for me.

Maybe you have a 'Mr. Jones'. Maybe it's 'Mrs. Jones'. Whatever your situation, pause long enough to remember God's desire that you bless their socks off

Another thought: Maybe we are the 'Jones' in someone else's lives.