Does it ever feel like the minor mishaps of life can depress you as much as major ones, at times? Have you ever felt like your life is on one speed and that speed is “fast, fast, fast?”
That’s how I felt some years back as I was juggling schedules with children, grandchildren, and worry.
Then, to top it off, I had a freak accident where a heavy bookcase lurched out of the van onto my foot when I opened the back van door.
“Oh God, why did this happen?”
But one thing I’ve learned is to praise the Lord for all things and the first thing out of my mouth after that was, “Thank you, Lord, that it didn’t fall on my toes!” It just missed them. You notice I’m at that stage of life where I sometimes talk to myself.
I tried to put off going to the doctor, but when my whole foot was purple and swollen, I went to the ER. The X-rays indicated torn ligaments, heavy bruising, and swelling on the bone. The doctor said it takes about the same to heal as a broken bone does. A soft cast helped the healing process and I really learned to appreciate my old "normal" life when I was able to walk in regular shoes again. This minor mishap stopped me, literally, in my tracks.
“God, what are you trying to tell me?”
Was it, “Slow down and look around?” I realized I was speeding through life at a pace that had to be slowed down.
Now, I am thinking more about people that have "real" problems. I am trying to count my blessings more. I am trying to look at people I see when out shopping and be kinder. I saw an elderly gentleman with a cane while I was still in my cast. He saw me hobbling along and asked how I was doing. I told him, “I am better this week, the week before I was using a cane, too!”
I noticed if I smiled more at people it took their gaze off the really ugly cast/boot shoe I wore. It would either brighten their day or make them wonder what I was up to.
I saw a lady in front of me when I was getting gas, all alone, get out of a van she was driving, wheel down a ramp in her wheelchair and put gas in all by herself. What was so amazing about that? The woman had no legs. But I could see it wasn't going to get her down. She was taking something major and acting as if it was minor. There was no "poor me" look about her and she inspired me to look on the bright side of things.
I am learning that minor mishaps don't have to turn into major problems when we count our blessings.
Lord, help us to keep focus on the right things in life as your Word says to do - whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. You have promised that the God of peace will be with us when we do this.
Copyright 2016 Donna Collins Tinsley. Used by permission.
We could turn that around and say that without contentment it means nothing at all. How can we say we are of God (godly) and complain? Do you find yourselves complaining about your home, family and finances at times?
Can I challenge you, when you open your mouth to complain, instead to speak out about a blessing that you have?
Patrick Henry Hughes was born without eyes---yet he sees clearly the many blessings of his life. He has shortened limbs and has never walked but he was bestowed with the gift of music, which has opened doors for him to travel. He does not look at his disabilities but uses his abilities. He is content, and that has brought great gain to his life.
What would the Waltons do? I think they would take time to count their blessings. That's what I am going to do right now!
God, I believe that gratitude brings contentment and I am so grateful for all the good things we have: the freedoms that so many other people don't have, the resources, homes and provision that You have given. Let the gift of contentment show all over our face and lives as we count our blessings daily and accept Your presence during these times of trouble!
This scripture points the way to contentment: "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."
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Try to imagine how you would feel if the Lord was washing your feet, as he did to the disciples. Close your eyes and picture this in your mind. Feel the soothing warmth of the water, the strength of His strong hands massaging your feet and toes. The texture and smell of the soap are rejuvenating. You felt so weary and tired, but now your feet are tingling. You are refreshed and humbled by His touch. Your soul feels restored by His service of love to you.
How shocked the disciples must have been to see their Master coming to them girded with a towel and carrying a basin. He was their Master yet He was doing the work of a servant.
"'What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this,'"
John 13:7
Jesus replied, "You don't understand now what I am doing, but someday you will."
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(NKJV) was Jesus' answer when Peter questioned Him.
"So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, 'Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.'”
John 13:12-15
After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing? You call me `Teacher' and `Lord,' and you are right, because that's what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
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(NASV)
There have been times the Lord told me to serve in this way. Once to prepare a sister for her wedding day: I washed and perfumed her feet. Another time, a conflict arose in a relationship and the Lord impressed upon me I must humble myself and serve by foot washing. This was part of restoring the relationship. Several times the Lord has sent me purely as an act of love.
When Mary washed Jesus's feet, it was a public display of adoration and preparation for His death. People were reproving the act of love she gave, but Jesus said,
"Let her alone; why are you bothering her and causing trouble? She has done a good and beautiful thing to Me. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever the good news [regarding salvation] is proclaimed throughout the world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
Mark 14:6
But Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me?
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,
Mark 14:9
I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed."
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(AMP)
Jesus said, "... whatever you did for one of the least of these ... you did for me."
Matthew 25:40
"And the King will say, `I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,* you were doing it to me!'
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(NIV)
I can't be as Mary and wash His feet with my tears, but the Lord can and will use my hands to wash the feet of members of His body. What about you?