This is a quick little visit back to a blog post I wrote several years ago. Not sure why I woke up thinking about it this morning but it’s words are true and the lesson is a good reminder.

It was 6:45am. She hates unloading the dishwasher anytime of day but she was doing it. Loudly. After a particularly rowdy session of removing bowls I said something to her about the noise. Her point was she wasn’t being loud on purpose…my point was that she wasn’t trying to be quiet either. We take virtuous refuge in the things that we didn’t intend. We are not accountable for those consequences which we did not intend to happen.
But here’s the thing… Nothing. Is. Neutral.
“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”
Paul is saying that it isn’t enough to just not steal anymore…now you must labor honestly…for the purpose of having something to share.
It isn’t enough to not intend harm…for every action or thought that we don’t intend we must be clear that we are seeking the opposite.
I didn’t intend to be rude. But was I seeking kindness?
I didn’t intend to be disrespectful. But was I seeking to show respect?
I didn’t intend to tear down. But was I seeking to build up?
I didn’t intend to hurt you. But was I seeking the best for you?
I didn’t intend to be hurt by you. But was I seeking to be long suffering?
Sometimes it isn’t enough to not intend the wrong thing. We have to pursue the right thing. We must be aware of what we don’t want to happen as a consequence of something we do so that we are very intentional in what we do want to happen.
Quick to love…slow to speak…submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
We are intentional because He was intentional.

This means we practice wifery with the intent to do good to our husbands. We parent with the intention of  not just seeking to raise good kids for the sake of having good kids but rather to raise up a godly generation that will love God, seek justice and pursue righteousness. We’re the kind of neighbor and friend that seeks  the good of the land that we live in. We are women who live to proclaim the Gospel in all that we do.

Sharing with Heart and Home and Titus 2 Tuesday