I Am Precious

I had the privilege to hear Brother Yun (The Heavenly Man) speak on Sunday morning.  There was so much good stuff he had to say, but there was something in particular that stood out to me.  He had each of us place our hands on our hearts and say I’m Precious!  At first I thought that this was just a little strange; I mean how often does a person walk around saying such things about themselves?  But then I started to think more about it; and the more I thought about it, the more those two words started to mean to me.  And the more I thought about it, the more I began to realize how well it fits in with the survey I had been doing.

I have been thinking a lot about identity.  Working with girls has made me think about it even more- because it is a major issue.  I wish that I could somehow prevent my ten, eleven, twelve…year old choir girls from having to deal with this.  I wish I could prevent the way clothing, beauty, and popularity controls who are the “cool” ones of the group.  I wish I could prevent the way I see the others watch those elite ones with that wishful longing to be just like them…

Even though this makes me quite vulnerable, I thought I would share my personal struggle with this issue because I know there are others who struggle with the same things.

Growing up, I dealt a lot with insecurity.  Usually, children that come from broken and abusive homes have this struggle; but I know that it is not just limited to them.  No, I never doubted that my family loved and supported me; however other things had a way of making me believe that I was worthless.
As a pre-adolescent and then adolescent, I was heavy, pimply, messy-haired, and had braces on my teeth- not a great combination for self-esteem.  My friends would have parties to which I never received an invite.  I would cry myself to sleep countless nights trying to figure out how to make myself more talented, attractive, and sweet.

The poems I wrote over that time were full of hurt.  My parents tried to help, but what more could they do besides pray, walk beside me in the pain, and be there to talk to?

I finally lost some weight, used Proactiv to clear my complexion, and had straight teeth, but that did not seem to do the trick.  So I gave up on finding identity in my appearance and figured there was nothing I could do about my big nose and short stature.  I decided to pursue education, since it was something that I enjoyed and could pour myself into.  I tried to deepen musical and artistic talents, but still I was lonely.

I’m the kind that sees all my flaws.  I keep track of all my mistakes and hang them as pictures on the wall in my mind called “Failure”.  I keep every manuscript rejection, every choir dropout, every hurtful word spoken to me, and every lost friendship there in that room.  I also keep a chair in that room where I go to sit and wallow in self-pity as I survey my failures.  I keep pictures then on the opposite wall of those who have “achieved” in life.  They are the pretty ones, the social butterflies, the accomplished and talented people.  I watch them mock me with taunts of you’re not good enough, you’re worthless, you’re a mistake.  I  try to pray, but soon despair and wonder why God would want to talk with me.  I mean what have I really even done for Him?  The peers my age know what they are doing with their lives.  Most of my friends are on the mission field laboring, sweating, and pouring themselves out for God or they are married and raising precious children to carry on the glory of God.  And here I am, still unsure about what God has in mind for me.  I had it all figured out when I was young, but somehow circumstances changed and here I am.  What a loser!

I’m Precious.  Guess what, I really am precious.  And you know what?  You are precious too!  I’m precious not because of what I have or haven’t done or because of how I look or don’t look; I’m precious because the God of the Universe actually designed me and had my very life planned out from the beginning of the world.  I’m precious because He personally handcrafted me, personally selected the time to announce me to the world, personally hand-picked the events and people that have surrounded my life.  Nothing about me was a mistake!

Place your hand over your heart and feel the heart beat.  Right now, your body is doing millions of things to keep you living, breathing, walking, talking, singing.  God has a purpose for us, because our hearts are still beating.

His purpose does not include having me sit in a room designed by the Enemy to keep me off-focus.  Maybe I’m a little harsh to say that, but I really don’t think it is too harsh.  My “Failure” room was constructed by the Enemy.  He helped me pound in the nails on which to hang my mistakes so that they always haunt me.  He helped me hang the “Accomplished” pictures so that I feel inferior and jealous because there will always be someone that can sing better, write more poetically, and get higher grades.  Then he sits in the corner and laughs as I allow all of it to portray who I am.  He is delighted that I am hobbling around in a dark, lonely room instead of giving, serving, and loving those around me outside of those binding walls.  To keep me bound within the despair and inferiority is his main intent, because then I am completely useless for the Kingdom of God.

Perhaps it was because I was homeschooled, perhaps it was because my family traveled a lot during the years that friendships are formulated and cultivated, perhaps it was because my last name was unusual and not Stoltzfus or Yoder, perhaps it was because I was unlike the other young people because I enjoyed the arts instead of sports, perhaps it was because I was a strange mix of tomboy and feminine and redneck and artsy, perhaps it was my appearance or my personality that made me struggle…..BUT it really doesn’t matter.  I have found who I am in Christ, and that is where my confidence lies!

I took a poll (on my blog/facebook/girls’ choir/and family- thanks so much to those who contributed) of whether people would rather be recognized for their personality, intelligence, talents, or attractiveness, just because I thought it would be interesting to see in which areas people most struggle for identity.  Personality far outweighed the rest, with talents coming next.  Intelligence and attractiveness fell into the last two categories.

Yes, as Christians we are supposed to make sure that we are the best we can be in these areas as godly examples of Christ.  However, we should not be so consumed with these areas that it becomes more important than Christ.  We should have pleasant friendly personalities and upkept bodily and mental maintenance, but that should not be our sole focus!  Our sole focus is Christ, and then He can use these areas to glorify Himself.

I’m okay now with being short ( I actually see blessings from it), I’m okay with not always getting a perfect score….because God made me the way that I am and thought that it was a pretty good idea.  I don’t need to have personality, talent, intelligence, or attractiveness to make me who I am.  If the only thing that made me, me, was a certain grade or social charm, it would simply be a facade; and when that was stripped away- I would be left with nothing.

Who am I?  I am 4’11″, blonde, blue-eyed, lover of books, fan of Ford trucks, A student, choir director, single, blogger,   No!  I am Christ’s Daughter, Friend, and Bride!
God, please let my identity rest in You.  Then You can use and mold me into a woman who is no longer concerned about herself but intent on worshiping You and helping others.  Help the person who may be struggling with this today - the one who has been striving for perfection until they are exhausted – the one who feels like they are nothing without their humor, friends, suave, beauty, letter grade, boyfriend/girlfriend, work, degree, talent, wealth, family…  May we all find our complete satisfaction in You!

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Romans 8:35-39 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 15:15  No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Perfect in all ways!

For my devotions, I have been reading through the Bible from beginning to end.  I love doing this, because it is just like looking through a giant storybook full of lessons and values weaving together into a culmination of events that climaxes with the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ.  What is so amazing about this story is that it is 3D, because it includes every reader and it continues on forever and ever!

I have started on the second time through, and am struck with a certain phrase each time I get to the story of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 

1 Kings 3:3

And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father: ONLY he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.

 

1 Kings 15:14

BUT the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days.

 

1 Kings 22:43

And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the Lord: NEVERTHELESS the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.

 

These men were so close to where they should have been.  They had served and pleased the Lord in every area – EXCEPT – they allowed the high places stand! 

Does this not make you sad? 

 

What more could have been done in their lives?  How might God have used them?…..if they had followed through with EVERYTHING in EVERY AREA?

 

I then wonder about myself.  What area have I allowed to stay built up in my life?  I may tithe regularly, go on mission trips, and please God in almost everything I do; but what about the jealousy or discontent that I allow to stand?  Is my relationship with God being hindered because I left “the high places” unbroken? 

 

I think the saddest thing to hear about myself at the end of my life would be the words- “her heart was perfect with the Lord all of her days – except- she left the high places stand!” 

 

I want to go the WHOLE way, even if it costs me dearly or is uncomfortable.  I want the Lord to say that I was perfect in all my days.  Period.  No “but”, “only”, “nevertheless”, “however”, or clause that follows that statement with an area that was not surrendered.

 

Let’s get busy tearing those high places down!

Strong Heroines

People are funny things- we always want to be someone different than who we actually are!

I enjoy taking those random personality tests on facebook, sometimes they are pretty accurate and the next time they are REALLY far off.  I sure don’t think that picking your favorite book can tell you exactly what Bible heroine you are, but sometimes it can be a pretty good clue.

When people would compare me to a woman of the Bible, I always received the names of Miriam, Martha, and Deborah.  So it did not surprise me when the “Bible heroine test” came out as Deborah.

I have always longed to be a Ruth who made the submissive beautiful statement of “where you go, I will go” and then had a fairy-tale romance with Boaz.  I envied Esther, the gorgeous queen who won the heart of the king and then saved the entire Jewish nation; or Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was so sweet and virtuous that she was the one chosen to carry the Christ Child.  But I’m always labeled as the characters that aren’t quite as well-beloved as some of the “famous” ones.

I decided to really look at Miriam, Martha, and Deborah’s lives and see what made up these woman and what I could learn from them.  Their stories are actually quite interesting and amazing, and I have come to the conclusion that I am quite content with being patterned after these ladies of the Bible times…as long as I don’t repeat the mistakes that some of them made.

They all have something in common- they are strong, they are leaders, they are quick to make decisions and act upon them, and they know how to include others in their plans.

How does a woman with these characteristics handle life today when we are surrounded with submissive, tender, and meek women?  How do we balance our personality traits that sometimes seem like a curse?  How do we keep from offending, coercing, or intimidating others?  How do we not dictate the men in our lives but allow them to establish their godly male leadership?

I wrestle with all these questions, and I know that my very strong-willed friends do as well!

As a child, I was talkative and bubbly and quickly made decisions.  I was the oldest child as well, which did not help matters.  I soon discovered that people do not like when you always tell them what to do.  I also discovered that a woman with strong personality tends to drive people away from her if she is not careful.

Miriam- The firstborn, the protector and guardian of her little brother, Moses, a prophetess, the one who helped lead the women with Aaron and Moses during the wilderness adventures, the one who broke into joyous song when the Red Sea crossing was complete, the one who was cursed with leprosy and separated from the group because she had condemned the leadership.

Martha- The sister of Lazarus and Mary Magdalene, the firstborn, the one who was in charge of the housework and making sure things got done (most likely the owner of the house), the one reprimanded by Jesus for putting material things before spiritual.

Deborah- A prophetess, a wife, a trusted source of wisdom, a judge, the initiator of action, the one who broke into rejoicing after the victory.

All three of these women filled important roles in the Bible.  If they would not have been there, something special would be missing.

Miriam was there to speak to the Egyptian princess and help save baby Moses.  She was public in her praise of God’s miracles, and was not ashamed to lead others in that as well.  According to Scripture, she was partnered closely with Aaron and Moses in terms of leading and decision-making- which is somewhat uncommon for those times of history.  Her downfall was when she decided that she knew better than God’s established leadership; and instead of talking with God and Moses, she went to Aaron and scorned Moses’ decisions.  She was promptly punished with leprosy and banned from the camp until Moses pleaded to God on her behalf.  I believe that she was a changed woman when she came back from her solitude, although nothing more is said about her until her death.  Would it not be interesting to know her entire story – to know what happened between her punishment and her death?  I would like to think that she became wiser in how she used her leadership qualities and did more help than she had even done before.

Martha was quite a lovely woman when you think about her life.  She helped make Jesus’ time on earth restful and peaceful.  She was the one making the household decisions and responsible if anything did not go right.  Her problem came when she was so intent on making sure the meal was its best and that the guests were comfortable and well taken care of that she forgot to slow down and listen.  She forgot that being with Jesus is the key to serving Him.  She did not realize that criticizing others for their seemingly irresponsible, weak, neglectful behavior is not the best way to get something done.  Martha thought that she knew what was best at that moment, and so complained when others did not see it her way.  Jesus lovingly corrected her- for he did love her.  This verse is so special, (John 11:5)  “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.“  Jesus saw that Martha was giving her very best to Him in her own way, and He appreciated and loved that about her.  He only had to redirect her attention when she got a bit carried away!  Martha must have learned her lesson and balanced both the tasks with the time; and we gather this because of an event that takes place later on in Scripture.  A commentator pointed out that Martha probably had investment as well in the bottle of expensive perfume that Mary poured upon Jesus’ feet.  Never once do you hear Martha condemn Mary for her actions; isn’t that beautiful!  Her heart was at the right place this time.

Once in a while you hear of women prophets in the Bible…
Anna- Luke 2:36
Huldah- II Kings 22:14
Four Virgins- Acts 21:9

But it was mostly men that held such a position and honor.  However Deborah is unusual in the fact that not only was she a prophetess, but she also was a judge!  She called Barak unto her and told him that God intended for him to go into battle against Sisera.  He said that he would not go unless she went with him.  I can just imagine Deborah shaking her head at his statement and saying, “Fine, I’ll go; but instead of you getting battle honor, a woman is going to get the credit for destroying Sisera.”  So she marches with Barak into battle and tells him to go forth because the Lord goes before them.  They win the battle, and a woman, Jael, destroys Sisera as prophesied earlier.  Judges chapter five then records Deborah’s song, a beautiful proclamation of God’s praise and might.

I think we can learn a lot from these ladies.  Being a strong woman does not make us better than other women, but neither does it make us bad or sinful.  We do not have to try to change our personalities or sculpt it into something that we are not.  There is a lot of good that we can do with our strength.  We can cause action, inspire, encourage, and uplift in ways that others may not be able to.

But this can also be our downfall.  We can become so intent on the mission that we forget the True Commander.  We can become so involved with achieving that we hurt and step on others that are in the way or are not working with us.  We have to be careful that we actually appreciate our friends and their personalities.  We need to not simply use them for what we may gain from the relationship.  We must not feel threatened by other strong women and hold them off because we want complete control.

Ladies, we also have to be very careful with the men in our lives.  We have the power to motivate or destroy them.  Don’t roll your eyes at the sixteen-year old youth leader that just can’t seem to get his act together; don’t step in and make his decisions.  Instead come along beside him and encourage him.  We may be able to make powerful choices, but the most powerful thing we can do is let the man lead and develop into the godly male leader that God intends for him to be!

I don’t know how this applies to marriage (obviously, I’m not married so I can not pass statement=), but Deborah and Lapidoth seemed to be able to make it work.  If I ever do get married, I pray that my husband, the true leader of the home, will respect and value what I think but will ultimately make the final decision on a matter.

I think though for single women, we easily intimidate men because we have become so used to making decisions.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help; you don’t have to be in complete control all of the time.  Don’t walk over the “weak” men, and don’t fight and criticize the strong ones.  Be okay with letting go!  

Like I said before, we hold a lot of power and strength in our personalities that can be used for great good, but it can also be turned into a weapon of destruction, hurt, and manipulation.

Lord, may we constantly come to You for wisdom in how to make choices, how to relate with others, and how to glorify You.  May we never be ashamed to break forth in song that praises You.  May we be able to be the support the men need- not mindless dolls, but yet not scheming bossy feminists.  Thank You for giving everyone their own personality; help us to work with each other so we can fit our unique talents and giftings into a beautiful picture that honors You!    Amen.

Please Throw Away the Candy Wrappers

Daily Prompt: Never Gonna Give You Up

You. We know *you* are vice-free, dear Daily Post reader. But others around you and in your life are riddled with vices: they smoke; they eat too much celery; they hog the covers; they can’t keep their hands out of the office candy bowl. Which vice or bad habit can you simply not abide in others?  Photographers, artists, poets: show us VICE.

Yesterday I spent a huge amount of time unwrapping peanut-butter cups and jolly ranchers for a program coming up that has a snack for 150 people afterwards.  Foolish, I know, when I have so much other stuff that I could be doing with my time.  BUT, I absolutely cannot abide seeing crumpled candy wrappers scattered all over the place.

Time and time again, the guests leave; and scattered cups and candy wrappers are left behind as if a tornado just came through and disrupted the orderliness of life.

So, this time, I am going to save my after-party cleaning time and keep myself from high blood-pressure levels by eliminating the possibility of candy wrappers.
I know, it is not a huge issue; but yet it is.

Responsibility is a major thing that is lacking in today’s society.  Have you ever tried to plan an event and ended up pulling out your hair because 75% of the invites never RSVP back?  Have you ever seen the mess that people leave behind after a meal?  Very few look ahead or think of more than themselves.
I think this is one of my biggest pet peeves.  I was taught to throw away my trash when I was at another person’s place.  I was told that you do the dishes for the hostess because she worked hard to prepare the party.  I was drilled in the fact that you leave a place nicer than you found it.  I have learned that it is extremely helpful to reply back within the deadline and confirm whether or not you are going to an event.  So, this irritates me when other people do not live up to this even though I do.

However, I need to be forgiving- because there is always going to be something that I do that drives the ones around me crazy.  I need to be careful that I don’t destroy my friendships because of my criticalness (sorry, that is not actually a word), and realize that we’re even- because maybe the way I squeeze the toothpaste or fold the towels gets on their nerves.  So until I am perfect (which will not be until I reach Heaven), I can not “point out the spot in my friend’s eye when I have major obstacles in my own”!

It is all about working together and learning from each other.  I need to be able to take criticism and change in myself what irritates others, I need to be able to be patient with those habits in others that annoy me, and I need to love no matter what.  Love and Patience are the keys to overlooking and forgiving the faults (like abandoned candy wrappers) that can grow into huge obstacles and destroy relationships!

Wish Upon A Star

Daily Prompt: I Did it My Way:  Describe the one decision in your life where you wish you could get a “do-over.” Tell us about the decision, and why you’d choose to take a different path this time around.

Do you ever look back on life and wish you could redo a past action or decision?  I often think back to certain times that I would rewrite if I had the chance - things that I wonder what I possibly was thinking and why I didn't follow my conscience.  No, I never did drugs, get involved in an inappropriate relationship, rob a bank, or do anything "major", but I did do something quite often that makes my heart still cry when I think of it.

I feel deep shame at the way I treated others when I was younger.  Although many think this is not a huge issue; it is, because I wonder what differences could have been made in certain lives if I would have chosen to act differently?  I wonder how much hurt was felt, how many tears were cried, and how much despair was felt- because of me- when instead there could have been joy, laughter, and acceptance.  It's amazing the way that humans can be so cruel to another human, without even having to say a word. 

My parents raised me to treat everyone equally and respectfully, to find the outcast and make them my friend.  I had this as head knowledge but not necessarily as heart. 

There was one girl that I knew who came from a horrible family and was hurting deeply.  She definitely did not dress very nicely or even act very nicely.  Simply put, she was obnoxious.  She was the last person with whom I wanted to be seen.  Seriously, such a girl could jeopardize my own reputation and relationships; so I ignored her, cut conversations short, and let others know that I was not with her. 

I should have known the feeling to not be in the "cool" group.  I should have known how it feels to have people exclude you from certain parties and social events, but perhaps that made me want to join their group all the more so that I could finally "achieve" and be a somebody.  Funny thing is, when I eventually was accepted, it did not feel as sweet as I thought it would feel, because I knew that it was at the sacrifice of others. 

I do not know what ever happened to that girl.  I pray that someone finally treated her better than I had and was a friend when she had none.  I pray that she lives a wonderful life now and has become freed from the hurt of others, because something like that can be bondage to a person forever if there is never any healing.  Watch To Save A Life if you don't believe me.

If God would give me a special star tonight to wish upon, I would wish that I could go back and redo all the times I purposely overlooked the outcasts so that I could "fit in".  I can't go back and redo my past actions and decisions, but I can determine to not repeat those in the future.  I can determine to love everyone (not just the ones that are smartest, richest, nicest, or most beautiful), even if it means I have to give up certain friendships, opportunities, and advantages.  What would Jesus do?  Well, Jesus went to the "untouchables", the prostitutes, the criminals, the lowest-ranked on the status scale; and He turned their lives into the most lovely ones recorded in Scripture.  We have a huge power in the way we treat the ones around us.  All it takes is a smile, a word, a hug, and a little time to tell someone that they are special! 

A Brother

It is my brother, MarDelton’s, twentieth birthday today!  I had my twenty-fourth birthday on Friday, and both of my parents have birthdays this month as well.  My brother was supposed to be born in March, but he decided to stick with family tradition and come on February 10, 1994.
I remember when my parents informed me that I would have a little baby brother.  We were sitting at the table when they told me.  A three-year old can’t quite comprehend the whole situation, but I figured it would be a great thing since my friends had other siblings and seemed to be okay with it.
He finally came, barely making it alive; but he was determined to visit this world.  He was so little when I saw him.  My parents and the staff allowed me to sit up on the hospital bed, and then they put this tiny bundle beside me.  I wrapped my arms around it, knowing that I was going to protect this brother of mine and be the best big sister I could be.
It may have been love at first sight, but after a while the excitement wore off and I suddenly awoke to the realization that I no longer received all of my mommy and daddy’s attention.  No longer was I the only one upon whom they doted and about whom they spoke and with whom they played and talked.  There was a brother trying to take his share.
But one couldn’t hate the blond-haired, blue-eyed cherub for long.  I soon realized that life was better with someone else around- even if he took ”my” stuff and pulled “my” hair and disturbed “my” ears with his crying.
We were completely different.  I was a fighter, bold and determined.  It had to be my way, and I would accept no other.  Needless to say, this bought me quite a few tickets to punishment.  And the more I was punished the more I was determined to not give in.  MarDelton was quiet, but still quite mischievous.  However, he did not fight to have his own way, he just acted in agreement and then snuck in what he wanted when no one was watching.
Perhaps I should not tell some of his childhood antics, but they are quite humorous.  There were matches found behind the dryer because he had sat out in the garage lighting them and then hiding them in the best place he knew.  There were mysterious slashes on the windowsill from where he had tried out his axe.  Still, all in all, he was a really good kid.  And he got picked on a lot because of that.  Mom and Dad had taught us to be respectful, to not get in fights, and to be kind.  However, not every other child was taught that, and my compassionate brother was a good target for bullies.  But ever-protective older sister would come to the rescue and make sure he was safe and sound.
My poor brother, I feel bad about it now, but I was (dare I say it?) quite bossy.  He very kindly did whatever job I commanded and needed done, until one day he decided that enough was enough and declared mutiny.  My days of power were over.
Since we had no other siblings, we did everything together and were best friends.  We would ride the tire swing and imagine it was a boat traveling the great seas and sailing away from pirates, we would build snow forts and have battles, and we would laugh and giggle as only best friends can do.
But in the past ten years, he has grown up and started that maturing process that every child must grow through- the search for what you believe, who you are, and where your spot in this world is.  I have watched him dedicate his life to Christ and love those who treat him spitefully.  He has shown wisdom in the way he makes decisions and handles his finances.  He has listened to people and cared about their problems.  Whereas I have little or no patience, he can endure almost anything.  He is fighting that hard fight of purity in mind and life.  He has also became an extremely hard worker and has the biceps to prove it!
I rely on him quite a bit.  He is my security when I go somewhere new, he is my protector when I am in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation, and he is my counselor when I need a listening ear.  I know that God is going to have great things in store for him, and I can’t wait to see what that all will be.
Happy Birthday Dearest Brother!

Just a dustrag

Daily Prompt: Those Dishes Won’t Do Themselves (Unfortunately)

 by michelle w. on February 6, 2014

What’s the household task you most dislike doing? Why do you think that is — is it the task itself, or something more?  Photographers, artists, poets: show us HOME.  http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/daily-prompt-home-2/

—-Growing up, I was always in charge of the dusting.  I hate dusting!  No matter how hard I try to make it entertaining, it just does not work.  I turn the music up loud, switch the order in which I dust the rooms, and listen to audio stories; but nothing does the trick. 

I would spend hours as a child trying to get everything dusted perfectly, because a mother always seems to know when you miss something.  I looked forward to the day when I would no longer need to dust a house, because I would be traveling the world or doing some other non-domestic thing.  As you can most likely guess, I still am dusting.  In fact, I have a few rooms upstairs calling my name right now- just waiting for their layer of dead skin follicles, road dirt, and (whatever else makes up dust) to be removed.

I think it is more than just dusting in itself that I dislike.  Yes, I hate having to remove all the decorations off of the furniture, polishing the wood, cleaning the little items, placing them back, and making sure that I actually did get all the dust and did not simply move it around….but it is more than that.  I detest the time I spend doing something that I do not enjoy when I could be doing something that I do enjoy, like writing or reading or playing the piano. 

Somehow I need to realize that I can try to flee the things I hate, but sooner or later the chore of dusting or something else I dislike will find me and need to be done in order that my life can flow smoothly and properly.  Plus, the heart and energy I put into the little things will translate into the way I do the big “important” things.  

The best thing for me is to buckle down and just DO it.  I guess I need those things so that it makes the enjoyable moments all the sweeter.  I think it makes God smile when we can do the things like dusting to the best of our ability with as much joy as if we were cruising the Mediterranean.

Colossians 3:23  King James Version (KJV)-   “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

Blessings to each person today as you do those seemingly annoying and worthless tasks that you just can’t stand, and may it instead become a way of showcasing God’s glory!