I had my blood drawn Monday morning—and no, it wasn’t quite the way I wanted to start my school week. But as usual God got there ahead of me to prepare my lesson for the day. (I’m re-taking Faith 101.)
So, I’m talking to the technician and she described how tough working at the lab can be. People fuss about the wait. Some patients prefer other technicians because of her race. Others complain about the process. Just dealing with one unkind person can change how she behaves toward the next ten patients. To take it down a notch, she smokes during her break. “Everybody’s gotta have one vice. I pray, but…”
During her pause I pulled out the soapbox I keep handy for such opportunities and hastily climbed on it. “But you can’t let one person kill you. Jesus is big enough to make up for that one rude person, so don’t let one thing ruin your day.” But as soon as I huffed and I puffed, my wise words got blown right back in my face. This is why you don’t spit in the wind.
Really, all it takes is one Lego on the stairs, one cross word between the Lone Ranger and Maven, one rejection letter, one neglected set of math problems, one sassy mouth, one of Hubby’s business trips, one looming deadline, one messy kitchen…just one person, place, or thing can ruin the rest of my day or make it hard for everybody else that crosses my path. My little people know when I start handing our chores and pointing out crimes and misdemeanors, it’s best to get lost because we’re all going down with the ship.
Why do I so readily give away my joy? Aren’t Jesus and I tight like that? In the big scheme of things, it’s something insignificant. I shouldn’t need an icy glass of Coke at the end of the day or breaks between lessons to play the Solitaire app or House Hunters or a mommy’s day at Barnes & Noble or a “like it” size of sweet cream with pecan fold-ins—a “vice”—when Jesus is big enough to right whatever went wrong. He’s supposed to be my go-to, my Band-Aid, my confidant, my stress reliever, my 15-minute break when the shift changes, my shoulder to cry on. What was it I said: Why let one thing kill you…? I don’t need a distraction when I’ve got Him, my one and only Savior.
All in all, I’m grateful for that lab appointment. It reminded me that my lifesaving love affair with God is so much sweeter than any short-lived fling with destruction. Sometimes the most valuable life lessons come with pain, however brief. “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
Wow oh wow oh wow. This is perfect. If you only knew how I needed to read this…but God did. Thank you for writing this – it perfectly describes my Romans 7 self. I will be following your blog and I look forward to reading more of your posts! God bless!! 🙂
And He just knew I needed to read this message tonight. Blessings on you!