Costco and cookies!

I have realized over the years that one of my biggest pet peeves is GREED! I literally get so upset that I can feel the anger just bubbling up inside of me. But isn't that being a little hypercritical? I struggle with another persons sin, greed and then find myself sinning in my own heart with the anger.
I think to myself, come on people it's just a cookie! They literally get so mad at me if I don't have a "free cookie" to give their usually crying, screaming child. I think to myself, yea right, that's what you need to do, reward them for their disobedient behavior! It is so hard for me to not say "If you really want them to have a cookie, we sell 24 at a great low price, just buy them 24 cookies!"
And then what really gets me going is when they feel the "entitlement" to take 3 or 4 cookies just because they pay a yearly membership! I even had one father ask me "Do you have any cookies for my children?" I said yes we do. Then he proceeded to say that he gets mad at some of the girls that work back in the bakery, they don't always give his kids cookies because they say they are out of them. He proceeded to finish his statement with "I pay a yearly membership and my kids should get a cookie everytime we come in here and when you don't give my kids a cookie I go over to the cookie table, open a package myself, and take 2 cookies out of it! Can you believe it???? Isn't that stealing??
Or we always get, "Well publix gives free cookies all the time." It takes everything inside of me not to say "well then go to publix!"
It doesn't matter what the age is, I get angry at all greedy people! I have actually gone up to senior citizens that have taken a bag from the meat dept. to fill it up with our free cookies and say "excuse me, but you can only take 1 cookie, that's stealing to take a bunch like that!"
Why should I even care??? I do let it slide by some of the time, but why can't I let it slide by all the time??? Why do I get so "angry" at other peoples greediness?
Maybe it's because I struggle with that same sin-GREED.
I have in the past gone to seminars that have freebies at the table and have taken more than the 1 that I should! So is that any different? I mean it is free right?

My personal goal-Faith in 2009

Matthew 5:5-6
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

I've been thinking alot about what the year 2009 will be like for me; personally, my marriage, my children, my parents, ministry, and my job. I am a planner, I work best with schedules and I like to know ahead of time what's happening. (which is one reason I struggle with my job, I don't know from week to week what days I'm working) I know HIS ways are not my ways and that He is in control of all things. I want so desperately to glorify GOD in all areas of my life. Whether it is as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, or co-worker. Then why am I a little hesitant about 2009? I don't know what this year is going to bring and it scares me a bit.

I have a daughter graduating from high school in May, a son turning 21 in May, layoffs looming at Costco, Dans parents renewing their wedding vows in July (50th anniversary, Dan and I are in the wedding) my mom's terminal illness, my dads health and being a full time caregiver, and 2 grandmothers in their 90's.
With all that said, I was going through some drawers a few days ago and came across notes from one of Pastor Jons messages from last year. The title at the top of the page read PRAYER OF FAITH. Here is what I was reminded of as I looked over my notes and read the scriture from Matthew 5:5-6 (it's at the beginning of my blog)

Definition of MEEK (vs 5)-absence from pretension, generally suggests gentleness and the self control it entails.
Definition of RIGHTEOUSNESS (vs 6)-Gods goodness, HIS prescence in any and every circumstance.

#1) I was to list an area of "unholiness", injustice, or conflict. I listed my mom's terminal illness, my dad, and conflict with extended family
#2) Envision the coming of God's Kingdom and HIS character to this area of "unholiness", injustice, or conflict. I envisioned healing, restoration, peace, calm, forgiveness, confession, patience and love.
#3) As a member of God's Kingdom, in faith pray as to my response and/or actions.
My actions-I wrote, to be an encouragement, hurt-communicate whether it's good or bad, love them right where they are at, be a positive influence, and have a godly attitude.
My response-KINGDOM centeredness vs self centeredness, experience vs perspective (how I act and behave) Take the journey-commulative and progressive effect (the beatitudes) and finally spiritual and social application.
The journey toward meekness-POOR IN SPIRIT, MOURNING, MEEKNESS.

Being the loving, caring, all knowing GOD that HE is, HE graciuosly let me stumble across my old notes in order to help me trust and have faith in HIM for this coming year, whatever it may bring. I pray I will bring GODS character to any and every situation that might arise for 2009 and try not to miss the sunset! I will close this writing with the PRAYER OF FAITH

BREATHE IN ME, HOLY SPIRIT, THAT I MAY THINK WHAT IS HOLY.
MOVE ME, HOLY SPIRIT, THAT I MAY DO WHAT IS HOLY.
ATTRACT ME, HOLY SPIRIT, THAT I MAY LOVE WHAT IS HOLY.
STRENGTHEN ME, HOLY SPIRIT, THAT I MAY GUARD WHAT IS HOLY.
GUARD ME, HOLY SPIRIT, THAT I MAY KEEP WHAT IS HOLY.
AMEN!