Purge or Destroy?

I’m still doing the Swedish Death Purge. Not that I plan on dying any way soon, but I do have many unnecessary things to get rid of. It’s a process, but I’m doing a rather good job of it. Mostly.

I have developed a new purging technique. However, I think I missed my calling in life. I should have been a demolition expert. Can you imagine how fun it would be to run one of those gigantic cranes with a ball on the end and get to swing it into something? Better yet, I can imagine driving one of those enormous machines that tunnels through mountains. Or better yet – one of those machines that chews up boulders and grinds mountains to dust! Fun!!!

In my own small way, I am fulfilling those dreams unintentionally. And it doesn’t make me particularly happy, but hey! I am getting rid of another thing my kids would toss or put in a garage sale.

I was getting a rolling chair out of the way of the vacuum, pushed a little too hard, and the chain reaction began. The chair hit the stool holding the CD player which then hit the filing cabinet upon which the votive holder sat – obviously too close to the edge. It toppled and shattered. And obviously, cleaning house with vigor and great enthusiasm is not necessarily a good choice for me.

Since I’ve talked before of good intentions going awry, I want to take this musing another direction.

How many times do we do something that has long term effects?

I have been talking to a friend whose dad died recently. Because Bob was our kids children’s pastor, many stories of his long term influence are being recalled. All the effects of his teaching will not be known until eternity. Through eternity, people’s lives will be blessed because of his ministry.

Do small kindnesses have long term effects?

I still remember the night in a children’s hospital while Amanda struggled to breathe. All the beds for parents were full and several of us were using the waiting room floor for the night. Sometime during the night, a stranger placed a blanket over me.

Another lady here in town showed kindness as we left a store. I needed to go get the car, and there was nothing for Mom to hold on to. The woman saw my plight and offered to stand with Mom until I could get the car pulled up. She then helped me get Mom off the curb and into the car.

Though both those actions were focused time-wise, it had a longterm effect for me. I pray continued blessings on the strangers for their kindness but also am more aware of instances where I can be a blessing to others as they were to me.

Whether for good or evil, I think we need to be more aware of things we do. Do we thoughtlessly hand out words of reprimand and reproof, or do we look for ways to offer encouragement and praise? Think of long term effects of what we say or do.

Taking this verse somewhat out of context, it is true nonetheless. Hebrews 10:24 says to consider how to stir up one another and good works. Proverbs 16:24 speaks of gracious words being  as honey, sweet to the soul and health to the bones. Our simple, kind gestures – even a cup of cold water given in Jesus’ name – has a possible effect on a person’s eternity and our own heavenly reward.

Sigh. So I’m writing a blog instead of cleaning up my mess. At least this one is rather easy to sweep up and get in the trash.

Blessings

KB