I Just Wasn't Thinking.

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." 2 Peter 1: 5-8 (NIV)

On Saturday, my sweet husband was out running errands, one of which was to stop by this really wonderful bread store and pick up a loaf of bread for which he had a coupon. Well, this really wonderful bread store often sells out of their most popular items pretty quickly (something I've experienced firsthand, much to my dismay)...and especially when they are handing out coupons for something FREE! Now this really wonderful bread store always has the most delicious loaves of bread out on their breadboard for customers to sample...oh, so yummy! Imagine cinnamon bread, white chocolate cherry bread, pepperoni bread, cinnamon rolls....Can you tell that I'm writing this when I'm hungry? So on this day, they were out of the FREE loaves. My hubby called me to tell me the bad news. And I said, "So, did you get me a sample?" He said, "No. I'm sorry. I just wasn't thinking."

Okay, before I go on...I must say that my husband is really very thoughtful. And if I asked for the moon, he would do his best to deliver! Also...as long as he didn't taste the samples...it really was fine, because I sure didn't need the calories.

But since Saturday, those words "I just wasn't thinking." have tumbled over and over in my mind...and not because they came from my hubby's luscious lips. (He has been out of town....Can you tell that I miss him?) Those words, sadly, often typify my actions. [Surely much more so than his....That was just the example that was fresh (like cinnamon bread) on my mind!]

How often have I neglected to make a phone call, send a card, do a good deed, minister to, or reach out to someone because "I just wasn't thinking"? I want to be more of a thinker...yes, I want more knowledge...and memory...but I want to be one who thinks of others and acts.

I so love how God directed me to the Scripture in 2 Peter 1. Read those words above another time. And then listen to what follows those verses..."For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (v. 8) I want those qualities!! I want to be effective and productive...yes, most importantly in my knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ...but also in all He calls me to do...all He places on my heart. I want to be like Him. I want to think like Him!

Lord, help me. 2 Peter 1:3 says that "[Your] divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness." Pour on your power. Pour on your knowledge. "Show me Your glory!" (Exodus 33:18) Please allow Your goodness to flow through me.