My blog is a place for me to journal and share my thoughts and what God is teaching me.  Hopefully one a day something my kids can read to get more insight into who their mama is. And if someone is encouraged along the way then that is a bonus.

My Bible verses today for my SOAP(search blog for more info if curious) journaling are Matthew 6:1, “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 6:4, “Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything will reward you.”

I can toot my own horn so the praises keep coming.  And at time it can have an appearance of humility but ultimately I want others to know of my generosity and awesomeness. 🙂

It says to do it in private so I don’t lose my reward.  How can I ever think the words of humans would compare to the reward God has for me.

God sees so I don’t need anyone else to see or hear of my gift or generosity.  This makes me think of another verse-
John 12:43, “for they loved human praise more than praise of God.”  I love human praise.  I almost typed “who doesn’t love human praise?” instead of honestly admitting my struggle.  But if I don’t own it then how can I deal with it.

The passage says to give without knowing.  But I wonder if it is ok to share it with my hubby, my best friend who I share everything.  I imagine it is ok.  Because the motive of my heart in that case is not to receive praise but to share the happenings of my day.  For me it is ok to also share and talk to my kids about it to help them learn generosity and to see in lived out.

So I am going to play a game with myself, to try to stay unknown with giving.  or if found out and someone does praise me, to then focus it back on God who is the one who gave me the means to be able to share and praise him for teaching me to live in such a way.

Jesus, help me to love the praise of You more than people.