Aggravation!!!
The Bible says to know what is right and not do it is sin. Yesterday’s stupid choice was not sin – though it may have made me say a few words in frustration – which may have been inappropriate for a refined Christian lady such as I. Oh bother!!!
I am always very diligent about cleaning out Ronald’s pockets before I wash his pants or shirts. Who knows? I may find a pocket knife, a candy wrapper, a packet of unused seeds, or a hand full of green beans he just picked.
Being the more ‘wise’ and ‘careful’ of the two of us, I never leave stuff in my pockets.
Right.
Wrong!!!
Have you ever felt you needed to do something and failed to do it? What consequences have occurred that caused you inconvenience or even grief?
As I loaded a stack of dirty clothes into the washer, I thought to myself, ‘Old woman, check that there is nothing in the pockets.’ I ignored my still, small voice with an air of superiority and dumped everything in.
And you guessed it. It’s hard to tell from the above image, but I made a bad choice.
I have had bronchitis and have been coughing like a maniac. Tissues have been my constant companion for several days. Stacks of fresh tissues are at hand everywhere I’ve been or stuffed in pockets. One needs to be prepared for the next coughing fit.
Alas!
When I pulled the clothes from the washer, bits of tissue adorned each and every item of clothing. I commenced to picking the tissue pieces small bit by bit or vigorously shaking what I could onto the floor for another cleanup. All the while, I was shaming myself for being so foolishly prideful that I didn’t do what was right.
At the end of the session, it wasn’t that big a deal. The dryer took care of most of the detritus, but maybe I learned a lesson. At this age, I need to learn a little faster or remember what I’ve experienced before to save myself some work and aggravation.
Though Proverbs 27:23 doesn’t talk specifically about dryer lint, the concept is there. ‘Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.’ Paying attention to what I’m doing gets more important daily. Proverbs 2:15 talks about the plans of the diligent leading to abundance and hastiness coming to poverty.
I wonder sometimes if the writers of the Proverbs followed around some old lady like me. Proverbs 24:27 gives an order of things to be done to be successful – Prepare, get everything ready, and then do the chore.
Like I said, knowing and doing are two different things. I need to stuff them both into my life at the same time and save myself some problems and/or cleanup. But these are minuscule things compared to more serious matters of the heart.
What promptings do I ignore that could mean a positive difference in someone else’s life? When do I fail to encourage, offer aid, or even give a simple smile? What if my careless negligence left comparable destruction in my own life or the life of another?
I may forget to take tissues from pockets, but Lord help me never forget to pass out a blessing when I can!
Blessings to you all.
Kara Beth
