A Tale of Resolve!
I love quiet mornings. A perfect vacation for me would be a cabin in the snowy mountains with huge windows, triple insulated, where I could watch my husband hunt from a fluffy chair while nestled under the perfect hand-made quilt by the fire with a huge cup of something warm. No agenda. No chores. Nothing to be done. Just quiet and stillness.
Living on a farm, it’s very difficult to have moments like my dream vacation.
But as I’m wrangling a hyper kitten from the presents under the Christmas tree, listening to my grand-dog bark incessantly and trying to have my quiet time, I conclude that I didn’t get up quite early enough this morning.
Most mornings I make time to start the day well and it has vastly improved my days. No more grumpy responses to my always-happy-in-the-morning-spouse. Laughter and spirited banter begin our day and at the end of each day I’m amazed at the way things play out. Most of the time…
Over the weekend I struggled with some things that get under my skin more than I want to admit. “Under my skin” is an understatement. It totally unravels me! And the worst thing is that I let it. It keeps happening, no matter what I try and I finally realized it has to be something that I’ve got to overcome some way other than fixing the issue...with a .45 or even a .38. Or a hammer.
Finally, I’ve come to know that God is trying to teach me something through this “thing” that I allow to switch off my graceful attitude in one second. Ha- one MILLISECOND. Just that quickly I can be floating around like Snow White and BAM- I’m the crazy mirror!
A-ha! Why don’t cha just stop and take a look in that mirror...Oh, I do not like what I see there. Eyes of fury. Furrowed brow. Teeth clenched and a power hammer couldn’t get those shoulders away from my ears.
What would happen if I “took care of the issue”?
I would disappoint someone I love, feel huge regret and remorse, become deeply depressed and not be able to put things back right.
So, what now? How do I fix this?
I start by admitting I have a problem...don’t laugh! Okay, I’m kinda laughing...but it’s true! As I stood in the glory of the rising sun-literally, I asked myself why this keeps happening and why does it seem to be happening more often. Myself replied, “God is trying to teach you something.”
BUT WHAT!? I’m exasperated!
There was no response.
I figured I would have to find that answer myself...I mean, via a different route since “myself” wasn’t answering.
As the day went on and became more unscheduled and weird, I kept coming back to the biggest issue on my mind, and heart. I HAD to figure out how to stop getting so upset. This was taking up too much of my happiness.
I prayed.
While I stopped and sat in my truck with the windows up and radio off, I prayed. In my wacky head I saw satan laughing. He was winning. I had allowed him to wiggle in and steal my joy over and over. With a stupid, little, annoyance, he could wipe my whole day out, and I fell for it time and time again.
NO MORE SATAN! You lose! I’ve got a new plan.
Starting now, each time it happens I’m choosing to find some sort of joy in the situation. Yes, it will be difficult at first, but I know I can do it. My coach, my defense coordinator, is better than any offence and I’m suited up! Today, we win! Today is the day.
I felt better instantly. Knowing what I was up against I felt better prepared to conquer. Sure enough, the next day started off with a double dose of the same maddening offences.
However!
My response was completely opposite of the norm. I actually laughed out loud. Oh, satan, you tried to take advantage of my weary state of mind in the earliness of the morn, but to no avail! I was prepared for you!
The sneering face of evil turned away from me with it’s tail between it’s legs and head low as he retreated from my beaming victory!
I’ve slept in my clothes before! Now I sleep with my ARMOR! Fully prepared for battle 24/7! (Victorious chuckle-Heheheeee…)
It’s not even heavy! Quite comfortable actually...
Today, I’m ready too! This has become a fun habit! I’m excited to rebuke any offence and I feel fully equipped as I march forward. Wonder Woman be damned, I’ve got the Armor of God and I’m “Saved By Grace Woman”! Destined to be tested again and again, but fully prepared with the Arm of God outstretched behind me, ready to keep me moving forward as He lays out the path He has planned out for me.
Yehaw!
Isaiah 41:10-13
