I hope that you all have enjoyed this beautiful Easter Sunday. He is risen! I wanted to end the month of March in sharing a few of my favorite photos from the month. Celebrated my favorite grandsons birthday. Conner is 18 now! Our beautiful Mallory Grace all decked out for the prom. The youngest grands (sisters) were flower girls in their uncle's wedding. The oldest one was in her element of dress up. The younger one, not so much. THAT HAIR BAND ITCHED HER HEAD she said! I purchased a new pair of wedges that I love. I am always skeptical about ordering shoes or clothing but read the reviews on Amazon and went for it. Love the color and the style. The youngest grand loves to take selfies and play with the filters. Marty colored Easter eggs. He always colors at least a dozen every year. He always says he's doing it for the grands but I know he does it because of the inner child in him! LOL! I went with the little ones to Disney on Ice and we had the best time. I think I enjo
I wish I could see your facial expression as you read the words {Sand Paper People}. I got a feeling you may have a few of those in your life from time to time. Sand Paper people are those that tend to {RUB} us the wrong way. Sometimes we just can't put our finger on exactly what the issue is and other times we know all too well why they tend to cause the hair on the back of our neck to stand up!
Years ago I had the opportunity to be a part of a ladies retreat where Mary Southerland spoke. If you aren't familiar with her I recommend that you purchase her book called....YOU GUESSED IT..."Sandpaper people". It is an eye opener and gets right down to the nitty-gritty of the subject at hand. It is filled with so much truth and lavished with the Word of God. She tells this story and it goes like this:
The artist came to the park every day when the light was just right, positioning his
easel and paints under the same familiar shade tree. For hours, he watched people
strolling by, searching for just the right face to paint. A beggar sitting across the path
caught his eye. Thinking of God’s handiwork in every human being, the artist resolved
to paint the man as he imagined he could be. With the last stroke, the artist breathed a
sigh of satisfaction. It was done. And it was some of his best work. The artist then
called the beggar over to see the painting. “Is that me?’ the beggar asked. “That is the
“you” I see!” replied the artist. The beggar stared at the painting, and with tears in his
eyes, softly spoke, “If that’s the man you see in me, then that’s the man I shall be!”
Sandpaper people desperately need someone who will look beyond their abrasive
behavior to recognize their worth. Sandpaper people have allowed someone or
something to assign an identity to them that is false. As a result, they live a life they
were never intended to live, bound to an un-healthy-self-image, having no concept of who they really are or what they can become. Desperate to fit in, they try on different identities like trying on new clothes, wondering why none of them fit. Sandpaper people fail to understand that their identity was established before the world began, in the
heart and mind of God. That’s where we come in. When we make the deliberate choice to love a sandpaper person, we are inviting God
to work in us and through us to bring about change; to create His image in us so we can
then see His image in others. Difficult
relationships find it hard to survive in an
atmosphere of love because stubborn wills yield to love as the worth of a soul is
recognized and valued.
Choose love
Web Image
Choose patience
The key WORD here is {CHOOSE}. We choose how we will react and how we will deal with the sandpaper people of life. And I can assure you that there will be those sandpaper people that come along. Who knows...we might be that sandpaper person to someone!!! May we be willing to love beyond the beyond.
Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Great words of wisdom, my Friend. Happy Wednesday to you!
ReplyDeleteHi, Cindy:
ReplyDeleteI've never read her book, but always read Mary's devotionals that I get emailed. She's a gem and so are you for sharing this encouraging message!
Love,
Mary
Thanks Cindy for the post today. I surely needed this one.
ReplyDeleteConnie Royals
Never heard of the term so I learned something today, Cindy. Thanks. And what a nice way of handling them! Thank you so much for your visit on my Childhood Cancer awareness post and your continued prayers for Rea.....Christine
ReplyDeleteThese are all great words of wisdom! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and very thought provoking!! Thanks so much for stopping by, Cindy! Even though i am really looking forward to Fall and it is September, it is in the 90's here so there are no signs of Fall here yet!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Deb
Hi Cindy, this is so good and yes I think we all have encountered a sandpaper person in our life. Your wisdom on handing them is very wise. Thank you for sharing and always bringing light to the word. in your posts.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Happy September! cm
Happy September to you too!
DeleteBeautiful post, Cindy, and I love the images and Scripture verses. :) Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI like the story far better than the reality of dealing with sandpaper people. I consider entire groups of people "sandpaper people." And I am equally certain that I have been that sandpaper person more than a few times. Let's not ask John. =D Thank you for the book recommendation and those beautiful graphics. Did you create them? (I'd love to pin one.)
ReplyDeleteLOL. I know what you mean Vee. I did not create the images. I gave the credit to Web image. Wish I had the time to create them! LOL!
DeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteThinking of you today and wishing you a safe and happy weekend with your beautiful family.
You know you have a gift of sharing God's lessons, and I thank you for blessing me with the goodness of your heart and spirit.
Warm Hugs,
jemma
Thank you Jemma!
DeleteI know exactly what you mean about sand paper people! And a few came to mind as I read. God has to work in me all the time so I won't react the way my human nature wants to.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
I understand all too well too my friend!
DeleteYour posts never leave me empty, I am always inspired and blessed.
ReplyDeleteWith love my friend,
Debbie