Thursday, July 8, 2010

Useful Tools

Whew! I was getting worried there. As I mentioned in my last post, I realized that my blog had strayed from the purpose that God intended for it. Upon that realization, I promised to get things back on track and start writing the things that God wanted me to write again. For the last several days since then, I’ve been waiting for God to tell me what to write about. For several days I waited, and I was beginning to worry. But today, He finally put something on my heart..

I received an email from Uncle Butch a couple of days ago in which he was talking about Nebraska joining the Big 10 conference. I wrote about that quite a bit while it was happening a month or two ago and Uncle Butch was sharing his views on the subject. It was while I was thinking about my response to him that God flicked on the little light bulb that floats over my head. What, you don't have one?

In regards to the big move for Nebraska, I was totally against it. Not because I felt it would be a bad move for the University of Nebraska, but simply because I don't like it when things change. Even changes for the better are difficult for me because I just don't like change. In my life, I have spent years at lousy jobs that I hated simply because it was easier to stay than to go to the trouble of finding a new job. It's part of my obsessive/compulsive nature.

I like routine. This sounds dumb to a lot of people, but I like waking up each morning knowing exactly what I’m going to do that day, and when I’m going to do it. When I went blind, it took me months and months to develop a new routine around my blindness, but I did it. It’s something that I really struggle with.

I struggle with it because I know that God doesn’t want us to be so rigid in our lives. I really feel that the more flexible we are, the more useful we will be to Him. I mean, let’s face it, a can-opener is useful, but only when you want to open a can. But if you had a combination can-opener, bottle opener, glass-cutter, hack-saw, jack-hammer, how much more useful would that be? That’s a bad analogy because really the jack-hammer attachment would serve all of those purposes, but you get the point, right?

It’s pretty natural to resist change in our lives, to remain in our daily routines. I resisted the notion of Nebraska being a Big 10 school, but now that it’s a done deal I can see that it’s probably a better deal. If someone had asked me if I wanted to be blind I would have resisted very strenuously, but I have to admit that I am a better person because of it. Turns out God knew what He was doing after all.

I’m going to try to be more flexible from now on. I think it’s okay to have a routine, as long as I don't get so caught up in it that I miss out on some new opportunity that God has for me. I’ve probably missed out on lots of things for that very reason, but God never gives up on us does He? He’ll just hold onto those good things until we are ready for them, and that's a pretty comforting thought.

Genesis 12:1-2 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

Mark 1:17-18 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed Him.

2 comments:

  1. I think technically, I don't see you as an OCD patient. :P
    We all have a tendency to obsess, and we all have a little bit of us that is compulsive. So for the record, we're normal! Got it? lol

    I love routine as much as the next person. To day I had plans to 'put off' until next week, what God wanted done today.

    When I called the doctor's, she said, "Come in today." Whoa, talk about routine switch.

    My lil dangling light bulb, is more of a dim bulb at times. I hear what God is saying but, ugh, I wanna drag my feet!

    HE on the other hand has different plans, and if He wants change, by daggummit, He'll make sure they happen.

    Hang in there babe. I think we're on the right track! I love you! :)

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  2. I miss your sharing your feelings here. Come back to the blogosphere and allow writing to heal you, with God ALL things are possible!

    I love you!

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