HERE COMES DAVE AGAIN

I'm not sitting in the sparrow's perch today, in more ways than one. I've taken on a job for a brother in the church, and the job location is in the opposite direction of the church. I'm sure very few people would understand, but I miss my time of prayer, bible study, and writing from the sanctified confines of my church office. I especially miss the sparrows tittering outside my window.

Spiritually, I found myself about a hundred miles away from the presence of God today, with no one to blame but myself. I let something someone told me this morning get in my craw, and couldn't let it go. I was like the old turtle who'd fallen off the stump only to land on his back. He saw a little boy walking toward the pond and started kicking and flailing in hopes the boy would pick him up and put him upright. Instead the boy grabbed the startled turtle by one leg, took it home, killed it and threw it in a pot. Moral: If you kick up a fuss, you'll end up in a stew.

It's not the first time I've felt like that old turtle, and you'd think I'd know better than to kick up a fuss. To make matters worse, a rainstorm blew in about noon time, putting an end to my very productive day. Now, everything I'd planned on doing is delayed a day. On the other hand, we need the rain, so I felt guilty for grousing about the rain. As you can imagine, by the time I got home I was about a million miles away from the presence of God. So, I did what every man does in moments like this, I tore something apart. I've been working very slowly on our front bathroom in order to have it ready for my oldest daughter to come visit in July.

Today I ripped it up!

PROBLEM: I don't have the funds to put it back together as quickly as I tore it apart. So,not only was I in a stew about something someone said, but I now have a bathroom with a great big hole in the floor and no money to fix it. Worst of all, I have no one to blame but myself. Even more disgusting than that, I feel terrible inside, and simply want to sit quietly before the Lord and cry. Yes, I said cry. I know, 57 year old men shouldn't cry, but that's what I feel like.

If I lived in the days of the Old Testament, I would have to throw a lamb over my shoulder and head toward the tabernacle.

I can here it now,

“There goes Dave again.”

“Poor Guy, he's so messed up, he keeps the priests well fed single handedly.”

“That's about the fourth trip to the tabernacle this week.”

“At this rate, he ain't gonna have a flock left.”

“You'd think he'd just stop sinning.”

Yep, I feel pretty rotten. I know the grace of God will heal me through the night, and tomorrow will be another wonderful day. Still, I can't help but feel bad about this wasted day. Just when I think I'm over something in my life, it will sneak up and slap me in the face.

I'm just glad I don't have to carry a stinking lamb over my shoulders to the tabernacle.

Forgive me Lord Jesus, give me the grace to overcome, your love to love, and your joy to walk in.