When I Pat Myself on the Back, God Gives Me a Kick in the Pants

When I pat myself on the back, God gives me an extra boost with a kick in the pants! I'm not sure how that came up today, but it did as I was refreshed by running into Mary Lou, the mom of a friend I had in "the old neighborhood" growing up. Her daughter, Mary Kay, and I would often go shopping downtown when downtown had nice department stores and three had elevators. Several had soda fountains and Woolworth's had a lunch counter. This was back when downtown was vibrant and thriving before shopping malls cropped up on what was formerly the outskirts of town. We were in Jr. High and we had a royal time shopping and bargain hunting like grown ladies. Oddly enough I ran into my friend's Mom at the Goodwill which is an even funner form of bargain hunting! I've lost touch with my old friend, but got an update from her mom today. I was not a Christian in the old neighborhood. Mary Lou was a Catholic. Now she and I are Christians and the fellowship we shared between the packed tight rows of skirts and short sleeved blouses at the Goodwill was so sweet that I rejoice in God's timing. It was evident in our sharing that we both needed that special meeting today! Somewhere in the course of our conversation we mused on the idea that when we pat ourselves on the back, God gives us an extra boost with a kick in the pants. That is not a bad thing though! Discipline is His love. "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." Hebrews 12 :6 "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11 We want the fruit...the "peaceful fruit of righteousness", but not the unpleasantness of the training. I don't know about you, but honestly I do not like any kick in the pants. No discipline is pleasant. But I know I need it and even more I desire the peaceful fruit of righteousness from the training. God is good and God is love whether He is disciplining out of His love or sending Mary Lou my way in His always good will at the Goodwill.