a favorite movie line
"It could be worse...could be raining" is a line from Young Frankenstein when Gene Wilder and Marty Feldman are digging up a body. No sooner does "Igor" speak the line, than it starts raining.
It IS raining today in Ogden. It's just incidental to the post. I think there's a little bit of truth in that little sentence today, though. For some reason this past week I've felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster. Nothing I really want to elaborate on but thinking of this little line reminds me that things could always be worse.
Sometimes, I think I dwell on things too much and I'm not so sure that's a healthy thing. At least I can catch myself doing it and avoid what I heard one radio program presenter a while back refer to as falling into a "Pity Party Pit". I never forget that the things I'm going through, as much as they weigh on me, as much as I'm confused and frustrated by them, in the grand scheme of things really aren't as bad as they sometimes appear to me to be.
God has a plan for me. I know that. I know too that if I have that faith in Him, he'll show me that plan when the timing suits Him. Sometimes I forget that and circumstances remind me of that. I'm slow to make decisions, weigh them carefully, and always give God the room in my life to override those decisions. It's much of the reason why I'm enjoying this Oregon weather in Utah today instead of boxing things up and moving to Oregon.
Faith comes in when I don't see that plan developing the way I think it ought, or more appropriately, as quickly as I'd like it to. Faith also comes into play when I have absolutely no idea what that plan specifically is. Sometimes I think I spent too much time in the military and like having things orderly and neat, knowing what the job at hand is and getting it done. I never saw the "big picture" and you'd think that would prepare me for some of the uncertainties life brings me these days. I don't want the whole "big picture" because I'm confident I'd find a way to mess that up.
So, when I get to that point of frustration, where temptation comes in to do this or that, to handle things one way or the other, instead of overreacting (which I've been guilty of frequently in the past), I come to a projected decision on something and take that decision to God for His reaction. If I'm not right (Oregon, for starters), God will overrule that decision and show me enough of His will for me for the circumstance at hand.
That's comforting to know. If I trust God, He will work His will for my life through me, provided I'm willing to allow Him to do this and recognize that not following His will has consequences (boy, have I learned THAT lesson well!) that these days will be swift in coming. I try not to test the Lord's patience but I know that when things don't happen as, or as fast as I think they should, I still do, even though that's not my intent.
I think it's just human nature. I can't help being impatient but patience is something the Lord is teaching me. So is wisdom. And courage. And faith. He's taught me about love, grace, and given me the gift of being able to take all these flaws I have to the throne of Grace for forgiveness, understanding, and help. Those are the true gifts God gives me. He's blessed me with so many other things, as well. I truly am blessed and I recognize that these little trials, though quite big to me, could be so much worse.
After all, it could be worse. It could be raining....
It IS raining today in Ogden. It's just incidental to the post. I think there's a little bit of truth in that little sentence today, though. For some reason this past week I've felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster. Nothing I really want to elaborate on but thinking of this little line reminds me that things could always be worse.
Sometimes, I think I dwell on things too much and I'm not so sure that's a healthy thing. At least I can catch myself doing it and avoid what I heard one radio program presenter a while back refer to as falling into a "Pity Party Pit". I never forget that the things I'm going through, as much as they weigh on me, as much as I'm confused and frustrated by them, in the grand scheme of things really aren't as bad as they sometimes appear to me to be.
God has a plan for me. I know that. I know too that if I have that faith in Him, he'll show me that plan when the timing suits Him. Sometimes I forget that and circumstances remind me of that. I'm slow to make decisions, weigh them carefully, and always give God the room in my life to override those decisions. It's much of the reason why I'm enjoying this Oregon weather in Utah today instead of boxing things up and moving to Oregon.
Faith comes in when I don't see that plan developing the way I think it ought, or more appropriately, as quickly as I'd like it to. Faith also comes into play when I have absolutely no idea what that plan specifically is. Sometimes I think I spent too much time in the military and like having things orderly and neat, knowing what the job at hand is and getting it done. I never saw the "big picture" and you'd think that would prepare me for some of the uncertainties life brings me these days. I don't want the whole "big picture" because I'm confident I'd find a way to mess that up.
So, when I get to that point of frustration, where temptation comes in to do this or that, to handle things one way or the other, instead of overreacting (which I've been guilty of frequently in the past), I come to a projected decision on something and take that decision to God for His reaction. If I'm not right (Oregon, for starters), God will overrule that decision and show me enough of His will for me for the circumstance at hand.
That's comforting to know. If I trust God, He will work His will for my life through me, provided I'm willing to allow Him to do this and recognize that not following His will has consequences (boy, have I learned THAT lesson well!) that these days will be swift in coming. I try not to test the Lord's patience but I know that when things don't happen as, or as fast as I think they should, I still do, even though that's not my intent.
I think it's just human nature. I can't help being impatient but patience is something the Lord is teaching me. So is wisdom. And courage. And faith. He's taught me about love, grace, and given me the gift of being able to take all these flaws I have to the throne of Grace for forgiveness, understanding, and help. Those are the true gifts God gives me. He's blessed me with so many other things, as well. I truly am blessed and I recognize that these little trials, though quite big to me, could be so much worse.
After all, it could be worse. It could be raining....
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