Hi again!
Well, it's a new year. I've adapted a recent observation into my new years' resolution that I'd like to share with you. To know what the Scriptures say can only come with reading and learning them. But the Scriptures don't stop there; we must find practical application for them. Sometimes I trip over an association when I observe people and nature.
I have this goofy dog, Cutie's her name and she weighs in at 13 lbs. soaking wet. Every time I'd come home from work I'd find the throw pillows from the sofa on the floor (she's permitted on the furniture and I respect that there are many who do not permit their pets on furniture). So, I put them on the recliner chair. Again I'd come home and find them on the floor. One day I caught her using her muzzle, nose (what ever you want to call that thing she sniffs through) to nudge each of the pillows onto the floor then she'd make herself comfortable for what she considered a well deserved nap.
Lately, the cushions have not been nudged onto the floor and I wondered why. As I was preparing to leave for work the other day I saw her jump up onto the edge of the chair and back into place between the cushions, with a cushion on each side and one at her back. She wiggled a little and was nestled down nice and comfy. No more does she nudge the cushions onto the floor. She has found the value of a little cushion.
I guess I'm a lot like her. My Heavenly Father keeps placing cushions around about me and I keep nudging them out of my way. Not realizing they make each daily landing softer and warmer, life in general much more comfortable.
You may be asking what cushions I am speaking of-friends, acquaintances, strangers that speak to me in a store, the church family that cares about me and what happens to me. Letters, cards, notes and e-mails I receive. Instant messages I share with my sisters and nieces as well as friends. Sometimes the cushion isn't quite so comfortable at the beginning as with changing jobs, oh my how I dislike interviews as well as leaving familiar settings and acquaintances. Like new shoes, it may take time for some of His cushions to be ahhhhhhhhh, comfortable!
We can plan ahead for somethings in life like holidays and vacations. Then there are somethings that we believe we have planned for, but they still take the wind out of our sails when they hit us. Like the loss of a job, destruction of our home or even the death of a loved one. There are far too many things in our lifetime that can take us by surprise. At times like that the only cushion is PaPa, our Heavenly Father. We can fall back into his arms. He's right there and he won't drop us. As a matter of fact he will pick us up and carry us until we are strong enough to walk beside him again.
Perhaps for a New Year's resolution, we could stop nudging PaPa's pillows away and learn to snuggle down into them and just enjoy the .....
ahhhhhhhhhhh!
Your friend,