It’s Much Easier If You’ll Just Cooperate

It’s Much Easier If You’ll Just Cooperate

Ahh.  What a busy day I have planned.  I’m going to Brenda’s to make cards with her and Karen.  I need to go to the post office and mail a Pay-It-Forward gift to Roberta.  Fair Value is also on my list since it’s time to get some groceries and a gift card for a special someone’s 89th birthday.  Then there’s all this stuff on my desk, screaming to be completed as I have been purposely trying to do.  And I have a study to complete, clothes to launder, dishes to wash…

Speaking of screaming, huh?  

Does it ever end?  Does this cycle of trying to get everything done in its proper time ever really be fulfilled?  

Meanwhile, there’s this still, small whisper.  Be still.  Be still and know.  

Okay, Lord.  You’ve got my attention.

Sort of.

You see, last night on the way home from a bonus date night (which included some ever-so-delightful meats from JD’s!), Steve and I were talking about church and the Bible and...don’t laugh, but we were also discussing one of our favorite movies, “Dumb and Dumber.”  For you see, there’s this one scene that epitomizes that cooperating is easier than fighting.  Here’s the link to it so you can see for yourselves:  https://youtu.be/m-HmvPr7mG0

I hope you laughed, as we did, when you watched this.  Does it remind you of how you too fight against the pricks (no offense, Jim!) that threaten to overtake you when if you’d just cooperate, when if you’d just be still instead, you might not have to suffer so?  Dare I say you might not have to die in this condition?  I think I do!  Gotta watch out for that rat poison, you know.

In conclusion, friends, stop.  Stop it--whatever “it” is--and just be still for a few minutes.  Remember Who is in control (and I can assure you--contrary to what you think--it is not you).  Remember Whose you are.  Let Him whisper to you this moment.  Cast your cares on Christ and let go.  Rest.  Be still.

Let’s pray!

Dear Father,

Pause.

Sigh.

My head is full of so many thoughts and squirrels are wreaking havoc in my mind.  It’s maddening, Lord, how when I try to take my own advice, the rabbits continue frolicking about in my tiny little brain, refusing to allow me just a moment--just one peaceful moment--of quiet.  How I need You to quiet me, Father!

Deep breath.  

Again.  In.  And out.  

Focus Stef.  Purpose Stef.  Breathe.  Let the clatter stop and just...just breathe.  Hear that clock ticking in the background? Those are precious seconds you will never get back.  Instead of thinking of what isn’t getting done while you’re being still, think of what is being let go of.  

Better, now?  

Yes!  

Thank You, Lord God.  Thank You for that moment.  Thank You for peace.  I love You!  

As I take one last moment of solace, Father, the thoughts are already trying to intrude again.  Bless my plans today, please?  May the time spent with my friends be joyful.  The groceries and goodies I buy?  Show me the ones that are most needed.  Mostly though, Lord, as that clock continues ticking, remind me to use my time wisely and to spend more of it with You.  That’s where my hope comes from.  May it be so, in the name of Christ Jesus, I ask.  Amen.

Days Twenty-Four and Twenty-Five

Dear Lord, I am not sure where to go with these passages from yesterday and today.  As I ponder them and seek what You would have me learn from them, I am faltering.  I know You are righteous, just, and merciful.  I know that You sent Jesus to me as a gift for my many sins.  What I don’t know is how to explain them to anyone else as a means of dealing with this topic of forgiveness that has been the theme for the month of June.

And maybe that’s the point, Lord.  I don’t know.  I am crazy to think I have all of the answers when I am still so full of questions for You myself.  Maybe these words are just to make me realize how little I do know and instead should take the time to ponder them instead of spouting off self-acclaimed wisdom about them.  

Okay then.  No blog today.  Just a brief reminder that sometimes we just need to be still, to know You are God, and to ponder what exactly that means for the specific times in life when there are no easy answers.  I can do that.  

Thank You for allowing me the time, Lord.  May I use it wisely and have You reveal more of Yourself to me is my prayer, asked in the sweet name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Give yourself a break!

So, how's your day going so far?  Yeah, that can be a loaded question.  Some of us are back to the daily grinds at work, where it seems, perhaps, as though the end is never in sight.  Others see all of that laundry piled up, waiting to be washed--along with the load still in the dryer and, come to think of it, the dishes are still in the dishwasher waiting to be properly placed as well.

Can I ask you to stop for just a moment, 60 seconds, and just pause.  Be still.  Take a deep breath.  If a window is nearby, gaze out towards it and remember this:  This is the day that the Lord has made.  This one!  Right at this very moment our heavenly and oh-so-sweet Lord is resting on His throne, and guess what friends?  He's got it all under control!  Yeah, life has a way of weighing down on us but only if we let it.  Relax!    

Okay.  You've looked outside and been still for 20 seconds or so and are itching to get back to it but wait!  There's still another part to do--the better part.  For you see, there's a second portion to this verse that goes like this:  let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Mmn hmn.  Shout glory or hallelujah!  Someone may look at you funnily but what else is new?  Whisper a quiet thanks.  Murmur a silent prayer but not of "Help me, God" but instead "Thank You, Lord."  After all, you have clothes to wear, right?  Some don't.  Dishes to put up means you probably have been eating.  There are many out there begging for what you scraped off of those plates.  You have a job to go to so you can help to provide for your family.  Some can't even get off of the couch.  Mostly though?  You've got a God that loves you beyond measure.  He's numbered your very hairs and notices each tear, each sigh, each unutterable prayer.

Okay, 10 seconds left.  Take another deep breath.  Exhale slowly.  Smile at someone randomly and see the unexpected joy you just put in his/her life by this teeny little act of kindness.  By now, my prayer is that you are smiling too!

Not bad for a minute of your time, huh?  Let's do it again soon!