Excuses, Excuses | Friday – Week 4
Listen instead of reading
Take a Moment
Ask God what He wants to show you before reading today
Read The Daily
When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ But they all began making excuses. (Luke 14:17-18)
Do you know something that annoys me almost more than anything else in the world? When people make excuses instead of just owning up to why they did or didn’t do something. Do you know the only thing worse than that? When I’m making excuses and someone calls me out on the exact same thing. “Wait! You don’t understand! My situation is different, you see…that’s why I had to (fill in the blank).”
I know what you’re thinking when it comes to making time for others or to intentionally share meals. I’m barely keeping my head above water. There’s no way I could add one more thing to my schedule. If you’re like me, these are the things I tell myself.
Excuse #1: “I don’t like to have people in my home.”
It’s not about the perfect meal or a flawless home. Don’t let your insecurities hold you back. If having people in your home makes you uncomfortable, there are other ways to embrace this practice. Try eating out or ordering in. Remember, it’s not about what or where you eat, but who you eat with. I have a few times a week that I meet others at McDonalds before work. Problem solved.
Excuse #2: “I wouldn’t know what to say.”
The fear of awkward silences can discourage us from inviting others to eat with us. But remember, eating together is an opportunity to practice the art of listening. Instead of focusing on what you’ll say, focus on what you can learn about the other person. Start conversations with questions that show genuine interest in their life. By simply being present, asking questions, and truly listening, you can create meaningful connections.
In our new to small groups gathering on Sunday nights, we had a few new faces this past week. I’m not going to lie, it’s a little unsettling for me and I could tell they were nervous too. However, like my Kindergarten teacher taught me, just ask them about themselves and actually be interested. I ended up really enjoying meeting some new people. And when one lady that’s a Bengals fan told me that she named her dog Burrow, I knew I was with cool people.
Excuse #3: “I just don’t have time.”
Time seems to elude us all, but eating is already a part of our daily routine. Instead of seeing eating with others as an additional task, view it as an intentional investment in relationships. If you eat three times a day, that’s twenty-one opportunities each week to share a meal with someone. Make it a priority, even if it requires a bit of planning and effort.
This past week, I had one family that we are really good friends with text and ask if we wanted to come over and eat some leftovers from a party earlier. It was late, but it was a fun and relaxing hour or so just hanging out with friends. Sometimes when I say I don’t have time, I’m actually saying, “I don’t want to make time for that”.
Prayer for the Day
God what are you showing me? What am I going to do about it?
God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?
Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.
Read The New Testament In A Year
4 x 6 Plan | Read: Luke 23:50-56, Luke 24:1-12 & 2 Timothy 3:1-9