Don't Throw it Away- Fix It

It’s just a fact of life that things used will, in time, show wear and tear. They may even become torn or broken if we aren’t careful. Fortunately, there is a something that can repair just about anything—Duct Tape. It’s a remarkable product. The combination of the fabric side and the adhesive side makes it very strong and extremely durable. It’s also inexpensive and easy to use. You’d be hard pressed to find a handyman without it in their toolbox.

For years, it’s been used to join broken things back together. It’s even been nicknamed 100 mile-an-hr tape for its ability to repair damaged helicopter blades in emergency war time situations. MythBusters, one of our favorite shows, has shown it to be strong enough to lift a car, waterproof enough to construct a boat, and adaptable enough to help save your life if stranded on a deserted island.

Relationships, too, can show wear and tear from the daily interactions of life, and if we don’t take proper care of them, will break or tear in time. While multi-purpose, Duct Tape won’t help repair a damaged relationship, but Servant Love will. It’s the type of love that places the needs of the other above the needs and desires of your heart. Because it’s the love that Jesus loves us with, there is nothing stronger.

Each of us should keep a ready supply in our behavioral toolbox. When applied to relationships, it has life-changing results. Faltering marriages soar to new heights, sinking families are able to traverse even the roughest seas, and busted friendships are remade with unbreakable bonds.

Message for the Journey:

Unintentionally, relationships can often take the brunt of the chaos of daily life, in time becoming damaged. When they are, don’t throw them away. They can be restored. Servant Love is the glue that repairs any damage and mends any tears. It puts the needs of the other before the needs and desires of self.  Jesus came to serve the world and through His serving brought healing. When Servant Love is applied to relationships, healing comes as well.

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth with our actions.”         1 John 3:18

It's Shiny Bait that Catches Fish

The fisherman sorted carefully through his tackle inventory for just the right lure. Fishing in clear water, he knew the fish he sought was a sight feeder, so he chose accordingly. He was confident the shine off his favorite metal jig would entice the barracuda to take the bait. At the end of the day, his planning proved successful.

When I was little, our family would fish along the bank. The greatest pull of fishing to me, then and now, is the relaxing time outdoors. Truth be told, I was usually more interested in playing with the bait worms than how many fish I caught. Although I was quite confident of my fishing skills the day I landed one without any bait on my hook.

Unlike my approach to fishing, real anglers take the task quite seriously. They study their quarry and learn what bait will be sure to entice them. To a professional fisherman, how many fish they catch can be a matter of life and death.

Jesus calls each of us to be fishers of men. Our success most certainly is a matter of life and death. We fish in the waters of our jobs, homes and neighborhoods. Every interaction we have with another is a fishing excursion. If the bait we display is made of the darkness of the world at large, no one will even nibble. But if we shine His light brightly, just like the barracuda, they’ll be enticed to come and see what it is that makes us different.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

1 Peter 3:15b

Warning: May Cause Damage

My computer came with built-in protection software that gives me a warning whenever I run a program or visit a website that could potentially harm its system. The pop-up message gives me the opportunity to think about what I’m doing and decide if I really want to proceed with the action. If I’m not fully confident in the site or programming, I don’t risk it. I don’t want to damage my laptop.

Just like a computer virus, words can cause great harm, sometimes irreparable.  And when negative emotions are involved, the more likely the first words out of the mouth will be toxic.

What if we came with safety programming like a computer? Our brain could scan our pending words and warn us that, if we proceed, they could cause potential harm to our relational system. What damage could be prevented if we’d allowed time to think about the larger impact of speech.

The mouth has far too much freedom and today’s culture encourages even more. But simply because we have the legal freedom to say something, doesn’t mean it should be said. The Bible is clear in warning us repeatedly of the destructive power of the tongue.

As believers, we, more than anyone, should have a safety switch on our words. There is one available to us, the Holy Spirit living inside of us. But we must train ourselves to turn to Him first. The more we do, the more automatic it becomes to seek His input before responding. And, in turn, the less likely our words will cause damage to our relationship systems.

Before speaking, but most especially when emotions are involved, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the right words. They’ll be:

T-  true

H-  helpful

I-   ideal

N-  necessary &

K-  kind

“And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

Matt. 12:36-37

©AnnWilds2012

What Scars Reveal

Do you have any scars? For a while after surgery, I had a little scar from the incision. The pain was gone but still the scar remained. Some scars, like mine, fade easily with time but not all. 

 

A father told his little boy to be careful to not touch a heater. It was hot and could burn him. But the child doubted. While his father looked away, the boy stretched his chubby fingers towards the titillating appliance. Moments later, anguished screams rang across the room as his tender skin made contact with the heat. His father held him in his arms, the disobedience instantly forgiven, and comforted him. But forgiveness couldn't heal the wound. The boy learned a hard lesson as he lived through the pain. Still later, the scar from the burn served as a reminder of his actions. The next time his father warned him of danger, he was more ready to adhere to his words.    

God warns us, His children, about actions that will cause us pain. We can believe and heed His warning or follow our desires and sin. While we have freedom of choice we aren’t free from the consequences. When the choice is to sin, to act outside of God’s will, pain eventually follows and we’ll be left with a scar. When repented the sin itself can be forgiven, the spiritual slate wiped clean, but the earthly consequences of our decision remain. Relationships may be damaged, trust shattered, and confidence destroyed. In time, they may be healed but scars can still remain.

David’s sin of adultery with Bathsheba and subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah, was forgiven because he was truly repentant about his sin. Yet, the earthly consequence of the sin remained. What was done could not be undone. Uriah was still dead and she carried their illegitimate child.  

 

Message for the Journey:

When we fall to sin, there will be consequences. When we touch something hot, we’ll get burned. Natural consequences are how we, not just our children, learn best. Don’t be surprised by the fallout of your choices, accept responsibility and grow in wisdom. Let the scars serve to remind you of the consequence of sin so that you will make better choices the next time and heed your Father’s words.  

©AnnWilds2012

Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. 

Psalm 139:24