Ruth's ramblings on this weeks homework.

When Esther and a number of other women were taken from their homes and brought to the King’s home,  there must of been several emotions present among the women.   I have tried to imagine what went on.   The bible is not detailed, so I have been thinking according to my knowledge of women and my experience of being one, for 44 years now.

Here are my thoughts:   Most of the women probably started out with fear of the unknown.  Others my have been excited to be in the King’s home.    The women eventually became comfortable in their surroundings after all the pampering and attention.   Then the drama began!    As the beauty treatments when on day after day, they probably began to compare themselves to each other.   Who is the most beautiful?   Who has the prettiest skin?  Who has the prettiest clothes and jewelry?  and so on.   Now come on, let’s get real, it still goes on with women today!

This has caused me to examine my heart and my actions:    We as women compare ourselves to each other.    Our looks, our possessions, our jobs, our clothes, our jewelry , and the list goes on.       Okay, so we already know this, let’s take it to a deeper  thinking level.     Comparison can causes jealousy, resentment toward someone, and other negative emotions that can cloud the truth of the God’s word. (our map for life)     Why do you think that, even as Christian women, that we withdraw from each other,  we let “pettiness” hold us back from our purpose.   We allow petty thoughts to keep us from true friendships that last.

Esther was a woman of true character.   She didn’t play these games with the other women.   She actually had good manners.   She treated the others with respect. She didn’t put herself above them.   Her character is what brought her favor with Hegai and then the king.    “Gaining kindness is something she was doing, rather than something being done to her.”    She simply was kind to the others no matter how they acted.  "Not trying" to get to the top and be the "most popular" is the very thing that gained her favor.

This week I am checking my heart:   Do I have any bitterness or unforgivingness toward anyone?   Am I holding some petty thought in my heart towards someone, that is causing me to hold back?   Are my eyes on myself so much that I don’t see others? 

Lord change ME!   

Ruth

I Cor. 13

   

 God has to place his children and scatter us all over the world, in all areas, so we can make a difference.    ( rich, poor, middle class, home, work, “good side of town”, “bad side of town” etc. ) God has placed you where he needs you.