Lately my ears have been opened to the negative conversations that occur when attempting something new. The normal reaction to a new venture or an enhancement to an existing one seems to be vocalizing all the negative comments first. Murphy’s Law is known for just this…Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Let me take you back 20 years. It was summer and I was home from college at my parent’s home. I always enjoyed visiting my grandparents and decided that day would be a good day to drive to Mobile, Alabama to visit them. While I was there my grandfather asked me if I needed the oil changed in my car. He enjoyed doing nice things for and with his grandchildren; though I didn’t plan on participating in this one, just reaping the benefits of it. I knew I should have been in a supervisory position instead of going inside and having fun with my grandmother. First thing that should have clued me in, my cousin who will go unnamed (you know who you are!) showed up to help Papaw. It was a known fact that when Papaw, my brother and my cousin united in an activity, something was bound to go wrong. Murphy’s Law applied and was activated during most of their outings, mainly fishing trips. Today was my turn. Later that afternoon, I left Mobile for the hour and a half journey home on I-10 West. My cousin decided to ride with me and visit my brother for the rest of the weekend. That should have been my second clue. Halfway home, my car started smoking. The situation seemed serious so we pulled over. Almost immediately, a nice couple came along and asked if we needed help. It was the 1900’s, Stone Age, no cell phones. Ofcourse, I needed help. The problem was this, the nice couple was in a pick-up truck that had no rear seat, only the wide-open-air flatbed. “Hop on in the back,” they said. There’s something you need to know about me. Back then, I thought I was the coolest of cool teenagers, not one who would DARE ride in the back of a pick-up truck on Interstate 10! I had no choice but to get in. I looked at my cousin and gave him the “look of all looks” that only a mad mother can give. Somehow I knew this was all his fault, I just didn’t know how, YET. To shorten this story, it turns out that the oil in my car was successfully changed, but someone on the “oil changing team” forgot to put the oil cap on securely. I can laugh about it now.
Things will go wrong in life. How we respond when we come face to face with it is what matters. Jesus came face to face with obstacles, interruptions and accusers. One of my favorite reactions of His is in the Gospel of Matthew 10:14, And whoever will not hear you nor receive your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Just shake it off. My dad always said that to me. Don’t let negative comments affect the plan and purpose God has for you. Don’t let Satan steal your joy. Sometimes we have to do things scared. A verse to cling to is this, Perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18
The perfect love that God and His Son has for you should settle you and give you rest.
Be an encourager to someone, not a discourager. The power of life and death is in the tongue. Proverbs 18:21 Be a life-giver, not a life-sucker. Look for the positive side, the great blessings that are in store for you as His Kingdom employee.
Christmas is coming and fast. Mistakes are going to happen, like a few years ago when I picked up our very large turkey the day before Christmas expecting it to be warm and juicy and COOKED. It was frozen. I was shocked. My mom handled it like a pro and didn’t get mad at me. She went head to head with the frozen turkey and delivered a beautifully cooked turkey the next day.
A lot of your issues are probably more complex than a frozen turkey, but know that you have to look on the bright side and find the things to be grateful for in the midst of the mess. Instead of thinking about what could go wrong, make a mental list of what could go RIGHT!
Praying for your eyes to be opened to His goodness and wishing you a December that focuses on the real meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.