This morning as I strolled down the stairs, into the front room of the house, dimly lit by the streetlamps outside, I was confronted with tiny little legos, scattered amidst magnetic wooden puzzle pieces and books that look like there was an avalanche in the toddler department and I am sure there was. Mr. T. as I will call him. He’s our grandson. He’s an energetic, high-strung two year old. He loves all of his toys and he carries them from room to room. And books galore. Every kind of book you can imagine. Board books, musical books, Dr. Seuss (those are out of reach because they have actual pages that he can tear), several Children’s Bible’s, touch books with different textures, the list goes on and on. He won’t sit still long enough to read him any book, except one, but he loves flipping through the pages and looking at the pictures. And because all of these things bring him so much joy, I can’t be mad that I stepped on that pointed little lego or almost tripped over the mound of books. I can only stand in the doorway and think of how blessed I am.
Yesterday, I was quite overwhelmed sitting in my kitchen looking at all the clutter around me. I am still trying to adjust to not working. If I had retired at retirement age, I might be more settled, had time to ease into this, but retiring early for health reasons, puts a whole new spin on things. What I can’t understand is where did all this stuff come from? When did it appear? Has it always been here and I was so busy and tired from working that I didn’t notice? Obviously, that is the case. I haven’t seen any strange people coming in dumping their stuff in my home-except for the strange people I live with-my family.
Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. – Psalm 55:1-2 NLT
There are so many things that need to be removed from here…..boxes still sitting in a storage room of the house from when we moved in here, over 5 years ago…and then on top of all the chaos, as I call it, there’s Mr. T. He tries to be helpful, but his idea of helping and mine, don’t quite line up. He tries to help me fold the laundry, but after I have painstakingly folded nearly 5-6 baskets of clothing, he pulls them out, onto the table and does his own folding and then tosses them in the basket. (insert long sigh here)
Our dust has dust. Pet fur seems to follow me everywhere I go in the house, no amount of dusting, sweeping and mopping seems to help. Dishes are never ending and sometimes I feel like I have traded my full time paid job for a full time job with no pay.
But then the most amazing thing happened to cheer me up. Mr. T. toddled his way over to me, outstretched his arms to be picked up and gave me a hug and a kiss. And that is when I was reminded that stuff is just stuff and dust will always be around, unless you live in a sterile environment.
Jesus used Mr. T. to remind me that life is about being happy and content with where you are at the moment. Loving others. Finding the silver lining in every moment that you feel down and discouraged and overwhelmed to the point you can’t even explain how overwhelmed you are-not to yourself or anyone else for that matter. When the end comes, you won’t be able to take anything with you, so why fret so much about it now.
It is so easy to get caught up in the world and forget about what is truly important. Loving Jesus and Loving others. Showing mercy and grace. And remembering that I am not Ms. Perfect, nor will I ever be.
Yesterday God’s timing was perfect to put my heart back in the right operating mode. If I am to be like Jesus, I have to be willing to extend mercy when I really want to be angry about the messes that keep piling up. I have to be willing to remember that all of us fall short in many areas and we can keep tabs of what people do and say to us or we can show grace and forgive one another. I am choosing mercy and grace and I know that when I start getting that “overwhelming” feeling again, God will convict me and correct me in the loving manner he always does.
For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. – Hebrews 12:10-11 NLT
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Mr. T
Jesus Loves ♥ You! Blessings and thanks for stopping by,
Carlene
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