A Plague of Irks

Maybe plague is an exaggeration.  And yet it seems there has been an onslaught of 'irks' buzzing me these last couple of weeks.  Just when I think I've swatted away an 'irk' another one would appear.  "Lord, what do You want me to do with this?" has been a frequent conversation starter lately.

What exactly is an 'irk'?  Sometimes it is a reaction to an irritant that comes from my own selfish tendencies or quirky likes/dislikes.  Other times the 'irk' is a result of someone else's self-centered behavior or from a lack of social graces.  And then there are times the 'irk' is simply a pest stemming from an issue that I am not in the position to control yet am in the position to bear some responsibility for.  

How do you exterminate these pesky 'irks'?  The answer would have been simple in my former years.  Swat and throw punches until the 'irk' is gone.  Yeah.  You're right.  That didn't work very well in the long run.  Was definitely hard on relationships and  usually not conducive to Godly character building.  So back to the "Lord, what do You want me to do with this?"

He has answered this same prayer in different ways.  Quite often He asks me to continue to listen to how He wants me to pray for the 'irk, irkee or irkor'.  And sometimes He tells me to "Get over it!" And then He has said "Give Me time, I'm working on it".  There are some 'irks' that require being addressed rather than ignoring or swatting.  These are the kind that don't go away but continue buzzing your head and possibly leaving a few stingers.  This is the hardest kind for me.  Almost miss the days of swatting and throwing punches.


Just kidding...and so you won't give up on me, know that after I ask God what He wants me to do, I ask Him for the grace and wisdom to do only what brings Him glory.  I really know this 'irk plague' isn't about me, if I don't make it about me, that is.  


So, if you are inclined to pray for me, you might ask Him to deliver me from the 'irk plague'.
Maybe throw in a request for wisdom, discernment and patience too.  And would you mind asking for a small dose of chocolate too?  Not a whole bag or I'll over indulge and have a different kind of plague to deal with.  Well, maybe we should leave the prayer to the simplistic prayer of Father Tim..."Not thy will, Father, but Yours."

The Door is Open

For a reason only God knows, He gave Ralph and I the commission early on in our marriage that our door is always open.  We've welcomed a variety of people into our lives over the years and certainly there were times we were taken advantage of and had some bumps and bruises.  In looking back over the years, I'm hopeful we showed His love and compassion even though we still didn't fully understand it ourselves.  And still don't fully understand it but we have grown in embracing it.

In these experiences, we've learned there is wisdom in having boundaries in place.  Communication and adjustment are a continual need.  Guarding your relationship with each other is vital. Martyrdom is futile.  Forgiveness is essential.  Grace and mercy are a daily need.  His love covers all and my love falls short.  We are responsible to be the light of Christ but we aren't responsible for their response.  And there even comes a time when you have to recognize that the season is ending for both parties and a new one is beginning.  Hopefully the new season is one of spring and new growth but we've seen a harsh winter hit as well.

What I know is this:  Our door is open.  We will be obedient.  And, praise the Lord, we are getting better at hearing His voice of wisdom and discernment once He places His sheep in our home for a day, a week, however long.  Because ultimately, they are HIS sheep and we are simply His caregivers for a season.

What Have I Ever Done?

The title of this post is from a song that I know was played in 1974. 
What have I ever done, to deserve even one, of the blessings I've had (or something close to that).

Those words pretty much sum up my life.  I know the answer is that I've done NOTHING to deserve even one of those blessings.  BUT I'm going to embrace each one, be thankful to the One who gave them to me and seek His wisdom on how to be good steward of each one.  AND I'm going to praise Him for the blessings yet to come. 

Hall Closet Discovered

I'm not sure how it happened.  I was organizing some Christmas boxes and wrapping paper getting ready to put them away for the year when I went to the hall closet and suddenly found myself on a chair pulling boxes and sacks down left and right.  Out came the trash bag and in went a LOT of precious things I'd been saving for a long time.  I can't remember why I was saving any of it so OUT it went.  (Dear family, don't panic, mostly it was wrinkled gift bags and old empty boxes.) After discovering new shelf space at the top of the closet, I worked my way to the hanging clothes and found some great jackets/coats that will keep someone else warm as soon as I get them to the Thrift Store.  And then there was the floor of the closet.  It can now be said that you can see the floor again.  That cleansing process now involves washing the myriad of stocking caps, gloves - both matched and mismatched - to either keep or give away. The problem is I still have all of the Christmas decorations to still be put away.  Maybe another day....

Thankful

Woke up really early this morning and spent some time with a glass of milk and my thanksgiving list.  Finished teaching another New Believer's class last night with them giving their testimonies.  So wonderful to hear how God has moved in people's lives! 

Peeked in on Facebook for awhile which lead me to some family pictures.  Fills my heart with joy to remember what this family means to one another.  Encourages me to press on in prayer believing He has even more for this family.  My desire is that we ALL serve Him and my fantasy is that we even serve together once in awhile.  How cool would that be?

Am finding myself a little weary in a few areas.  Just can't seem to get caught up on the housework - I plane don't like doing it - and the clutter that needs cleared away isn't getting any better.   Having an extra person living with us has gone fairly well other than it is another person living with us.  One more person to buy groceries for, to work a schedule around, to share a living area and TV with and to clean up after.  And really he has shown great initiative to doing things without me having to ask him but there are still those 'things' that aren't done or aren't how I would like them to be.  Makes me feel selfish and sometimes petty.  I don't want to be that way.

Then again, I've had some great time with Him lately.  So I think I will keep my thoughts focused there and be THANKFUL.

Squeegee Hunt

I've got my bucket, I've got my rock, I'm goin' on a squeegee hunt...

I truly do have all that I need to walk victorious in this life. It's a matter of laying down what isn't necessary or isn't working and picking up the tools that equip me. It's remaining under a true spiritual authority, seeing what He has for me to see, availing myself of the resources (people included) around me and marching forward. He has given me a passion and a call to a certain ministry. He has been fine tuning me and I'm sure has much work left to do (smile) so it's time to press onward. At His pace, with His guidance and in His way. Keeping my eyes on the prize...

And I hope it is a 'squeegee'...

amazing how easily tears can spring to the eyes...might be the bright sun, or the stinging wind, a sudden surprise, unexpected gift, a melancholy moment, a grieving sadness, sweet embrace, moving song, lovely vision, special memory, a thing hoped for, a date on the calendar...new life, restored life - both precious and to be highly anticipated and celebrated!