God cracks me up, sometimes. Here’s why, today:
- I made a decision while on vacation to institute a not-drive-my-car-one-day-a-week policy. Good for my health. Good for God’s creation. Good for my pocketbook.
- Checked the forecast for the week last night (this takes some planning). Only sunny day forecast is Monday (today). One problem: the temperature for Monday morning is supposed to be 20 degrees. Sigh.
- Then begins the conversation in my head: “You made a commitment to this. Don’t make excuses the first week.” “Maybe I could do it one other day this week.” “Not if it’s raining, you won’t. And they’re calling for it to be windy, too.” “Maybe I could start next week.”
- So, with that running “discussion” going on in my brain, I woke up this morning (19 degrees at 6:10am). Opened my current daily prayer book (Celtic Daily Prayer).
The reading for today was about some guy named Aidan. I kid you not, here’s the quote: “Aidan walked almost everywhere…always traveling on foot, unless it was absolutely necessary to ride, in town or country this gave Aidan the opportunity to stop and speak with whoever he met as he went and talk to them about Christianity…” And the Old Testament reading for today? Isaiah 35:8- And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness.
- In the early morning darkness, with my cup of coffee, I laughed right out loud. “Guess I’m walking to work”–here endeth the conversation in my head.
- It was a beautiful walk. I wasn’t cold at all. Took a little longer than I thought it would. I had to dodge some snowbanks. Had a fun talk with one of my neighbors–I’ve been praying that God would give me some opportunities to get to know him and his wife and I would’ve missed it if I’d been in the car. Prayed for my godson as I walked by the house where he is cared for on weekdays. Well on my way to my 10,000 steps-a-day goal for today. I am enjoying the feeling of keeping a promise made to myself.
Doesn’t God just crack you up sometimes?
March 17, 2008 at 1:27 pm
No, the Bible isn’t alive, active and current. Notthe living breathing word of God at all! LOL!
I make so many excuses not to do what is good for me! Thanks for inspiring – as always!
March 17, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Awesome job Sue! Good for you not giving in. I went through a similar situation last month when I first gave up coffee for Lent. I went through withdrawl (migraines and shaking the whole bit) and tried to rationalize with myself that if I started drinking coffee again it would benefit my health because I wouldn’t get headaches and stuff. But I prayed about it and here I am 5 days away from achieving my goal and I feel great that I was able to stick with it!
March 17, 2008 at 8:10 pm
congrats Sue! Now I know why I have not heard from you for a ride home after your meeting. T
March 17, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Sue & Kristina – thanks for your real life stories. Good job listening!
March 17, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I laughed right out loud when I read what your devotion was!! my answer to your question-Doesn’t God just crack you up?–is a reousnding YES!!! Every single day that I pay attention. Whenever a “coincidence” like that happens, my girlffriend Pat always says “You know it’s not a coincidence. It’s so obviously a God-thing.”