The devil's Lies

I have come to the conclusion that the devil is trying to take one of the ONLY good things about me and make me believe that it is bad. Let me explain.....

1. Friend's mom's house - As I told you earlier, my friend's mom just passed away. On the heels of that I was thinking about the house. You already know the story.....but you also know that ALL my thoughts were not about myself only. I was thinking about how it would be mutually beneficial to both of us. But my thoughts are hovering around the part where it is only about me. I believe the devil is trying to make me feel bad about this - the old guilt thing - when it really is not something to feel bad about.

2. Aunt's coffee cups - I have an issue with pretty coffee cups. You know the kind....they are china looking, usually have a flower or something on them and feel very delicate. Experience has proven that coffee ALWAYS tastes better in a pretty cup. So, every time I pass an "antique" or "collectible" place, I think about the cups. Yesterday, I drove past a place and was thinking about cups. And, for whatever reason, my thoughts drifted to an aunt of mine that has no daughters. I thought "Who will take care of her when she gets old? Who will take care of her stuff when she...you know.....?" Then my mind instantly went to the coffee cups. She has coffee cups. Oh my gosh! I hated every part of myself at that moment. How could I go from concern about someone I love to utter selfish thinking. This is where I think the devil was trying to get me again. He wants me to think that the real reason I was thinking about caring for my aunt was to get the freaking cups. Holy cow! I am so ticked! I would never want to get something (besides things are just that - things) because someone died.

3. Lady in Bed, Bath and Beyond - Wednesday I was in BBB to get a gift. I was waiting at customer service to get the registry printed off, and there was an older lady in front of me speaking with the service representative. I listened to the conversation and, honestly, was getting irritated because I had somewhere to be, like 10 minutes ago. But I did my best to at least look patient on the outside. After a few minutes of them going back and forth about these chair covers - sold as a set of 2, but one was broken - and neither one of them getting what the other was saying, I stepped forward. I explained to the service rep that the covers were sold in a set of 2 (she did not know that despite the fact that she was holding the package in her hand) and then I explained to the lady that when she returned the broken one, she had to return both because they were sold in a set. That was what she thought, but the service rep kept telling her to "bring in the broken one and she could exchange it". Afterwards, the lady thanked me and then explained why she was so frazzled. She had just lost her husband and had lost 2 kids before that. And then she said she was [waved her hand back and forth by her head]....which I took to mean either just frazzled or literally losing her mind via Alzheimer's. Whatever the case, I just wrapped my arms around her and gave her a hug. She was so thankful. It was a very sweet moment. Then I was wondering should she be driving? Will she get home safe? Does she have anyone to take care of her? Later in the day, I thought I would go back and take one of my business cards and leave it with the chairs covers she was going to come back for. In case she needed someone.....to talk, or help or whatever. But then came the thoughts again.....you just want her to know who you are. You just want to have attention drawn to yourself. AUGH! No - that is not it.

So, you see, I have really been having issues with this. Lord Jesus, I pray right now, in Your Holy Name, that You would forgive me for buying into the lies of the devil. I pray that EVERY thought I have would be taken captive by You. That my thoughts would be pure, honest, and glorifying to you. Lord, help me not to be deceived by the deceiver, but to hold to what I know is truth. I am created in Your image and I belong to You alone. You are my Light, my Refuge, my Strong Tower, my Savior, my Friend, my Protector, my EVERYTHING. Please, Lord Jesus, help me overcome the lies of the devil. Help me to use the gifts and talents You have given me to bring You glory all the days of my life. Thank You, LORD! Amen.