True Hope and a Future

I've been known to link up with: Inspire Me Monday,  Living Proverbs 31, The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates With God, Unite, Soli Deo Gloria,  Titus 2sdays, Tell Me a Story, Growing Homemakers, Tutorials and Tips,Tell His Story, Winsome Wednesday, Doing You Well Wednesday, Hope in Every Season,  A Little R&R Wednesdays,  Inspire Me Please, Think Tank Thursdays, Thrive at Home, Thriving Thursday, The HomeAcre Hop, Friendship Friday, Make My Saturday Sweet, Spiritual Sundays,  Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday, The Girls Link Up, Women Helping Women,  Thursday Favorite Things,

This may just be my year to be on top of the yard work!  (My husband will tell you I say this every spring, but I really think this year might be the one!) As I was raking leaves and pulling weeds I couldn't help but remember my sweet companion of fifteen years, Daisy. Come with me to revisit one of my fond memories of my faithful sidekick... 

I was working behind our house the other day, while heavy equipment was doing major construction next door. At one point I thought, "Wow, it sounds like they're right in my front yard!" When I finished what I was doing, I went around to investigate the racket that continued in front of the house.

There was my "faithful sidekick," Daisy "the wonder-dog." She was doing her best to capture one of the pesky little chipmunks that burrow in our yard. Unfortunately, she was doing it in my flower bed. My plants were trampled as only an excited dog on a mission can do; they were even dug up in the spots where she'd become extra-zealous. Then the drainpipe caught my eye. . .

Evidently, the chipmunk thought this would be a good escape route and scampered up it to get to the roof. Daisy, however, was on a mission and would not be easily dissuaded. The "construction" noise was actually the sound of "destruction" as the drainpipe banged against the house. Daisy obviously put great effort into her work, because by the time I got there she was on her hind legs, reaching up as high as she could. The drainpipe was flatened, twisted, and full of holes where she'd tried to take a bite out of the little critter. I'm sure the chipmunk had a great show looking down from the safety of his rooftop vantage point.

Daisy had good intentions. She probably thought she was being helpful, attempting to relieve us of one of those pesky chipmunks. Unfortunately, the result wasn't so good: a torn up flower bed, a crumpled drain pipe and a dirty dog. This made me wonder, "How often do my efforts look like this to God?" I always serve Him with the best of intentions, but if I plow ahead with my plans rather than ask God what He would like me to do, how often do I leave a mess rather than anything of value?

Before I rush off to "do" something for God, I need to ask Him if it's something He would like me to do. Just because I know how God has gifted me doesn't mean I know how He wants me to use those gifts. How often have I expended much effort only to discover that's not what He had in mind for me at all? Think of all the work it would have saved me, if only Daisy could've asked about chasing the chipmunk...

"I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands." Psalm 119:10

Father, forgive me for the times I've rushed off to do things for you without consulting you first. Help me to always seek you before I act so that I can be productive for you.

I saw your picture today.

It made me sad.

And you know why. 

Whether you admit it or not; 

You.

Know.

Why.

You got what you wanted,

but I have to ask, 

"Was it worth it?"

I have to ask.

Because it cost me.

You may not think it was much.

But it cost me a lot.

Maybe too much.

And that's on me.

I have to ask,

"Was it worth it?"

Because, you see, 

It.

Cost.

You. 

Too.

Maybe you already know that.

Maybe you already know. 

Maybe you've felt the consequences.

Or maybe you haven't.

But it did cost you.

How much?

More than you think.

Much, 

Much, 

More.

You didn't say anything.

You just did it.

And still didn't say anything.

And haven't.

Which says a lot.

About you.

And your integrity.

Or.

Lack.

Thereof.

But I take comfort in this:

"A good name is better than fine perfume..."

and

"Frustration is better than laughter,

Because a sad face is good for the heart.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning

but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure."

Ecclesiastes 7:1, 3-4

Yes, these words give me comfort,

But they also cause me sorrow.

Great sorrow.

Because I wonder,

"How often is it me?"

How often is it my picture, 

That makes someone sad.

How often have I been the one,

to hurt another,

with my actions?

Or with my words?

And I didn't say anything.

Because I was ashamed.

Because I was afraid.

Because I was proud.

Because I just didn't know.

If that's the case.

If it was me.

I just want to say, 

I'm so sorry.

Because we don't always know.

But that doesn't make it hurt any less.

And that doesn't make it okay.

Maybe that's why God says, 

"Be completely humble and gentle;

Be patient, 

Bearing with one another in love."

Ephesians 4:2

Earlier this week I had the privelege of sharing a message about courage (featuring my scaredy cat*) with a local MOPS group. I told of my rising stress level as I went to bed that first night (and subsequent nights) with a strange (to me) cat loose in my house, not knowing what condition I would find my home in come morning.

I relayed the fact that it was day three of a scaredy cat on the loose before I came to the realization that God is in control of all things. Before you start thinking this isn't a newsflash I have to ask you a question: Do you say you believe God is in control of all things, or do you actually live as if God is in control of all things?

As with most things, it's easier said than done, isn't it? 

"As I have purposed, so it will be; as I have planned it, so it will happen." ~ Isaiah 14:24

The truth is, if I was living out my belief that God is in control I wouldn't be worrying or feeling out of control, would I? Because He is in control there can only be two sources for anything:

Either way, the Bible tells us that God can use everything that happens to believers for our benefit, whether it happens to appear to be beneficial or not. Whether He ever reveals to us the benefit or not.

"We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose." ~ Romans 8:28

I know this.

I believe this.

So why is it that the very day I gave this message I found myself worrying? 

I've been having some success at my attempts to catch up, necessary since in the past several years I seem to have fallen behind on pretty much everything. This included sending in my knives to be sharpened - something long overdue. Finally, two weeks ago I called a demonstrator who came over and helped me pack them up to be shipped. The following day my husband took charge of our grandsons for a few minutes so I could make it to the post office in the small window of time when they're actually open.

I did the responsible thing and paid the extra fee for insurance, feeling the satisfaction of one less thing on my to-do list. The demonstrator said it would take a couple weeks for the sharpened knives to be returned, so I didn't think much more about it - at least until after I had given my message. I realized it had been a couple weeks and I thought I should check and make sure they actually arrived at their intended destination. 

I couldn't, because I couldn't find my receipt.

I'm pretty organized, as evidenced by the fact that when it came time to pack up the knives I readily located the original cardboard sheaths they arrived in over a decade ago. Yet the receipt from just two weeks ago was not to be found - not in my purse, nor in my car, nor where I normally keep them. Nowhere.

Perhaps this was a reminder that, while I'm not where I should be when it comes to worry, neither am I where I had been. Rather than spending every waking moment consumed with locating the receipt, as I was known to do in the past, I was able to let it go after my cursory search.

I think perspective has a lot to do with it. While I would not want to have to come up with the money to replace the knives, I was able to look away from the here and now and instead focus in on the bigger picture. I realized that, while this looked like a problem in the moment, in the scheme of all eternity this wasn't even a blip on the radar. It just goes to show that a small change - in this case pulling back to look at the greater scheme of things - can make a big difference!

What are you worrying about today? Perhaps it would help you let it go if you asked yourself these questions:

     - Is there anything I can actually do about the situation?

     - How important is this in the scheme of all eternity?

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." ~ Matthew 6:34

Epilogue: The day after I gave up my search I received an email informing me that my sharpened knives were on their way back to me and today they arrived! I so glad I didn't waste any more time worrying than I already had!

* I am pleased to report that while I still have a cat in my basement, I am no longer stressed out about it. For those of you keeping tabs, as of the date this post was published this cat has been holed up in my basement for 4 months, 3 weeks and 1 day. Cat whisperers are encouraged to leave suggestions in my comment section ;)

I have been known to link up with: Make Your Home Sing Monday,  Inspire Me Monday, Sharing His Beauty, Living Proverbs 31, Unite, Soli Deo Gloria, Tell Me a Story,  Titus 2sdays, Works For Me Wednesdays, #TellHisStory, A Little R and R, Woman to Woman, Choosing Him,  WholeHearted Wednesday, Wedded Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, From House to Home, So Much at Home, Thursday Favorite Things, Thriving Thursday, Friendship Friday, Faith Filled Friday, Best Blog Post Ever,  Make My Saturday Sweet, Still Saturday, Missional Weekend, Spiritual Sunday, The Weekend Brew

A few years ago, for example, I wanted to mail out a sympathy card. I was down to my last stamp, and thank goodness I looked at it before sticking in on the envelope!

Perhaps someone less observant wouldn't even notice the stamp on the envelope, but is it worth it taking a chance that someone in need of a sympathy card would first read the message, "That's all Folks!"?

I think not!

So I headed into "town" to purchase some more generic-looking stamps.

I use the term "town" loosely. I often joke I live in Mayberry, but in reality the place where I live in is much smaller. We do have a post office, which I'm very grateful for, but they don't deliver mail and it's not easy to patronize. It has only one parking spot; a handicapped accessible one which really isn't accessible to anyone. It runs parallel to the front of the building, positioned in such a way that makes it next to impossible for anyone to park there or on the little bit of driveway next to it. (Obviously they did not consult me when it came to parking!) To make the inaccessibility complete, they're only open between the hours of 10 and 2. 



This past Christmas we received our first card the day after Thanksgiving! 

Yes, evidently there are some people that on top of things. 

No, I am not one of them. (And I'm okay with that.) Remember, I'm learning to cut myself some slack! (Perhaps you didn't mail out any Christmas cards. It's okay; you should cut yourself some slack too!) 

It was the week prior to the holiday before I managed to get to the post office within the limited time frame, ready to buy Christmas stamps and mail my cards. Much to my chagrin there were no Christmas stamps to be had {sigh} either time I visited. Now, being the lover of order that I am, Batman stamps were not my first choice for Christmas card postage - I was thinking more along the lines of the nativity or even a wreath or something - but in the end Batman is what I opted for. My reasoning (99% of the time there's a reason I do what I do) was twofold; first, I knew if nothing else, my grandsons would like them, and second, Batman will help out Wycliffe Bible Translators. (Wycliffe collects used postage stamps and sells them to fund Bible translation, but there's only a market for the limited issue stamps, not flags and such.)

At one time, Batman stamps on my Christmas cards would have been totally unacceptable, but today I find it humorous. I mean, where else but "Mayberry" would the post office not have Christmas stamps at Christmas? No, I actually consider the Batman stamps a mark of victory! I mean really, what is a Batman stamp on a Christmas card in the scheme of all eternity? 

If you'd like to help support Wycliffe Bible Translators, collect your cancelled commemorative stamps and mail them to:

Wycliffe Associates Stamp Ministry

P.O. Box 620143

Orlando, FL 32862

I have been known to link up with: Unite, Soli Deo Gloria, Tell Me a Story,  Titus 2sdays, Works For Me Wednesdays, #TellHisStory, A Little R and R, Woman to Woman, Choosing Him,  WholeHearted Wednesday, Wedded Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, From House to Home, So Much at Home, Thursday Favorite Things, Thriving Thursday, Friendship Friday, Faith Filled Friday, Best Blog Post Ever,  Make My Saturday Sweet, Spiritual Sunday, The Weekend Brew