It's amazing how God will use any and all things to show us the ugliness and sin in our hearts. Today it was the garage. I went out first thing this morning to throw a load of laundry in the washer and could barely get there because of all the "stuff" that was in the way...the remains of our trip to Costco that had not been put away yet, an overflowing recycling bin, Christmas bins that had not been put back in there spot, balls and other sports equipment and lots of snow stuff. You would think our garage hadn't been cleaned out in months...but I can tell you that it was organized just a couple of weeks ago, and I was the one who did it.
Immediately, my heart began to well up with frustration and anger...frustration over having such a messy garage, especially in light of moving and needing room to put lots of boxes; and anger that, once again, I felt like all I do is clean up something for it to get messed up or dirty again; make a meal only for it to be eaten and I have to do it all over again the next day; wash clothes, fold them, and then do it again with the exact same pair of jeans two days later! Instead of taking my thoughts captive, I fed them with self-pity and self justification.
I got my hair cut today and I am thankful for the time in the chair...the hairdresser and I chatted comfortably...but I also had a lot of time to think...think about the sin going on in my own heart and the foolishness of my anger. I was looking at my garage this morning as a mess that should not be there...as a job that I should never have had to tackle again this soon and that determined my joy...or lack thereof. I was seeing things through natural, sinful eyes that removed God from the equation...a very dangerous thing to do.
God should be the center of every situation, every mess, every plan and every decision. If I had been wearing my "eternal glasses" this morning my outlook would have been completely different. I would have recognized that messy garage coming to me from the hands of God for my good and His glory. It was an opportunity to glorify Him...just as all of life is. It was another opportunity to remind myself that this day was made by the Lord and I was to rejoice and be glad in it.
I missed it.
Prayerfully, sharing this with you will keep you from missing it too, whatever circumstance the Lord has you in.
***While I was in the garage with my hubby, my dear boys were busy making flags. Flags that represent their national heritage. But, greater still, the smiles on their faces and the picture that I took represents the heritage the Lord has given them...before the foundation of the world He planned that Micah, Samuel, Titus and Caleb would be brothers! It's a beautiful, amazing thing!
Immediately, my heart began to well up with frustration and anger...frustration over having such a messy garage, especially in light of moving and needing room to put lots of boxes; and anger that, once again, I felt like all I do is clean up something for it to get messed up or dirty again; make a meal only for it to be eaten and I have to do it all over again the next day; wash clothes, fold them, and then do it again with the exact same pair of jeans two days later! Instead of taking my thoughts captive, I fed them with self-pity and self justification.
I got my hair cut today and I am thankful for the time in the chair...the hairdresser and I chatted comfortably...but I also had a lot of time to think...think about the sin going on in my own heart and the foolishness of my anger. I was looking at my garage this morning as a mess that should not be there...as a job that I should never have had to tackle again this soon and that determined my joy...or lack thereof. I was seeing things through natural, sinful eyes that removed God from the equation...a very dangerous thing to do.
God should be the center of every situation, every mess, every plan and every decision. If I had been wearing my "eternal glasses" this morning my outlook would have been completely different. I would have recognized that messy garage coming to me from the hands of God for my good and His glory. It was an opportunity to glorify Him...just as all of life is. It was another opportunity to remind myself that this day was made by the Lord and I was to rejoice and be glad in it.
I missed it.
Prayerfully, sharing this with you will keep you from missing it too, whatever circumstance the Lord has you in.
***While I was in the garage with my hubby, my dear boys were busy making flags. Flags that represent their national heritage. But, greater still, the smiles on their faces and the picture that I took represents the heritage the Lord has given them...before the foundation of the world He planned that Micah, Samuel, Titus and Caleb would be brothers! It's a beautiful, amazing thing!
Comments
Glad you had some time out of the house for Him to speak to your heart. Hope the rest of your day went smoothly.