One Thing Leads to Another
How many activities can we cram into a day? Too many to think of what to write in a blog this week. And then it came to me…
Last Thursday my dear husband and I had a ‘serious’ talk about the family room. For the past 29 years we have filled that room to overflowing — always managing to cram another item in. We are both ‘savers of whatever’ because we might need it which we blame on our depression era generation. We have many interests and this leads to more confusion. The politically correct word is clutter.
The family room contained a couch, 1 computer table, 1 large TV cabinet, two bookshelves, one four drawer file and two two drawer files. Also two floor lamps, one of which has a leaning problem while the other shines brightly with one lamp – like a one-eyed car. Needless to say, it was crammed.
I have been unable to get into the four drawer file and wonder what treasures I will find there. Bits of paper filed away and forgotten that reflect so many moments of joy – letters from our children and grandchildren. It contains genealogy research, learning to write children’s stories papers, college papers I might need, Bible studies past, some files that simply say Ideas, notes on how to design a website. Then there is my latest project – writing music and teaching piano. Ed removed all the pictures – of his Grandpa John William, my great uncle Daniel, my Grandpa Siemens and his siblings and my great grandparents – Jacob and Justina Loewen.
But I had a plan that I shared with my dear husband.
Thinking about once more shampooing this 29 year old dark brown carpet made me cringe. We jumped into the car. Well, we ambled slowly – it was raining. Walked toward the carpet display and made a choice in Lowe’s and signed the contract. Two days later Dan the Carpet Man measured the room. By then we only had three pieces of furniture left in the room. Before Dan came to install the carpet, dear Ed had removed the last two pieces, leaving the couch. We didn’t have long to wait – today (5th day) the carpet was installed. Only we can’t find anything. If I could find the camera cord, I could add some before and after pictures. Maybe later when things right themselves.
Don’t ask where anything is — we aren’t sure – but it will be like Christmas when we find all our treasures. Or it will BE Christmas before we find them all.
Thinking about the process, of decision, re-decision, action, sore muscles, I thought about the difference between obedience and disobedience. One thing leads to another. Memories of childhood disobedience moved across my mind. The day I lied to Mother about practicing the piano after school for an hour. Then Mother asked why her music was on top of mine on the piano. She always knew. I don’t remember what infraction I executed, but I do remember Dad telling me to find a switch on the Tamarisk bush. The anemic switch didn’t please him. He sent me on the hunt again until I came back with a worthy switch. I was relieved to receive the switching, and not have to anticipate the pain for my disobedience any longer.
Parents have a such a responsible job in teaching obedience, for this is what God demands – obedience. II John 1:6 – Love means following his commandments, and his unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love. This is the first thing you heard, and nothing has changed. (The Message)
When we learn to obey our parents, we learn to obey. It is often through suffering that we learn obedience. Hebrews 5:8 – Although he was a son, he learned obedience from suffering. (NIV) The Message says it this way – Though he was God’s Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do.
There are other ways to learn obedience without the switch. Mother had to be gone again. She left a note that I should wash dishes when I came home from school. She left a clean folded tea towel on the cabinet for my use. Again I ignored the better way, and ignored the chore. When Mother came home, I could see by her face her disappointment in me. As I waited for punishment, it came swiftly as she unfolded the tea towel slowly. My eyes were riveted on her hands as she suddenly revealed a large succulent Hershey bar. I didn’t get that Hershey bar, ever. Mother had a blessing ready for me, when I obeyed. That was punishment!
Just as Jesus has a reward for us when we obey. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
One thing leads to another….the choices we make in this world have an eternal significance. To obey or not to obey. I have learned that it is more blessed to obey. Finally! Although…each day is still a struggle!