Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 NIV
This thought for the day was inspired by Bishop T.D. Jakes because I was listening to one of his messages "My Dreams" and he made a few statements that got me thinking. The gist of his words were that he can't stand to be around things that remind him of how broken or messed up he used to be because it provokes memories and he doesn't even want to think about those things or times in his life. So, I thought about what he said and I decided to look around me (well not literally because I was driving) and take an inventory of things that remind me or support old things, old ways and old habits.
Then I got to thinking about a casual conversation I had with a friend about something they do now that they remember seeing their parents doing when they were growing up ie. wetting up food with water before it is going to be thrown in the garbage. And when I asked why they do that (to get an understanding of the significance) they couldn't tell me. It was just something they always saw done in their house growing up. So, in my head, I was thinking 'so why are you still doing it?' My confusion wasn't because any thing was wrong with the way they chose to throw out food, it was more regarding the fact that they were imitating a 'way' that they didn't even understand for themselves which then got me thinking about hand-me-downs. So, I thought about this some more and I asked myself 'what hand-me-downs do I have and how do they affect my life positively or negatively today?'
In essence, the act of wetting and throwing out the food itself might not be a big deal but if an act has shaped who you are in some way shape or form, that's when it becomes a big deal. Let's use some different examples. If you are used to seeing your mother always looking in the mirror, spinning around, pinching this, tucking that, complaining about this and that... check yourself next time your getting dressed. Any similarities? Is that where your insecurities come from? Or next time your at the store and you see an item that you want but its not on sale however it could be with one switch of the sale tag, do you switch it? Who'd you learn that from? Or why are you buying old things or holding on to broken things if you have worked so hard to get to where you are, why do you still have an impoverished mentality? Or do you have a tendency to dive into relationships eyes and pocket first in hope that 'he is the one'? Did you see your auntie do that a lot? Or where did you get the 'way' that told you that it is okay to be in an emotionally void and/or abusive relationship because 'at least you got a man with a job and his own teeth'? The movies? Reality T.V.? Sunday dinner? Where did all these habits and ways come from? So, I challenge you.
I challenge you to take an inventory of yourself, as painful as it may be, and start connecting the dots to who you have become. If they are positive habits and traits, then great, but just double check that they are not 'positive traits' from your perspective alone. Because sometimes we also have a tendency to think everyone else is crazy when they don't understand something about us when in fact that trait or habit or way may really only be exclusive to your family or bloodline. Which would actually make YOU the 'crazy' one (lol). And if you do find those negative traits/habits/ways, get rid of them. You don't need those hand-me-downs because you're better than that. If you wouldn't take an old, ripped up, stained up shirt from you mother or father or grandmother, why are you taking on their bad habits, traits and/or ways?
I encourage you to dig DEEP into your closet for that box of hand-me-downs and unload them as soon as possible because whether you realize it or not, they are weighing you down, holding you back and keeping you stuck. Hand-me-downs are just as bad as 'baggage' and I don't know about you but I've found a new appreciation for travelling light. Looking up and appreciating all the good God has done for me is so much easier without the world on your back.
Be Blessed in GETTING RID OF YOUR HAND-ME-DOWNS
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. - Isaiah 43:19 NIV
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! - 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
