Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

There are certain things that are impossible to do if you follow the wrong guide. Many years ago I wanted to learn to sew. I bought a pattern, material, and thread and set out to create a real work of art. I fastened the thin paper pattern onto the material, cut around the outline, and pinned the fabric pieces in place. The machine whirred as I stitched along the edges to hold it all together. I was very pleased with my effort . . . until I tried the garment on. Things were all out of whack and the seams didn’t lay right. I wondered what had gone wrong.

This was the saying on my childhood bedroom wall poster featuring a hen talking to a hatching chick. The words were a comforting reminder to a gangly teenager suffering the physical effects of changing from a child into an adult – my inner beauty was most important. The poster was talking about the essence of who a person is – his or her personality, thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. These are the qualities that define a person’s life, not the outward flaws that many teenagers experience. But for a Christian there is an even greater meaning to these words.

Some things must be kept! Whether or not you are a purger or a packrat, there are certain items that just shouldn't be discarded. I am a purger. I regularly go through my belongings and get rid of things. It is not that I love to throw perfectly good items away, but those who know me best understand that I don't think well when surrounded by clutter. My mind can't seem to focus when overwhelmed with stuff that doesn't have a place.

Split-second decisions often cause unpleasant consequences. We found this out the hard way recently. Over Thanksgiving our family made a trip to Chicago to visit Aunt Catherine and Uncle Jesse. On the way there we drove on an Illinois Toll Road. Approaching the toll booth, we weaved our way through the traffic and slid into one of the lanes to pay. As we inched our way forward, we suddenly realized that there was no one in the booth. In the midst of the traffic lines, we had chosen the wrong lane - the one where people with prepaid cards were able to slip through quickly.

God is in the business of changing things. He can take what is ugly and transform it into something beautiful and useful! Everything was quiet when I stepped into our event center to take a peek at the items being sold at our auction last week. I love this peaceful time because I can stroll up and down the aisles examining the interesting items that are selling without being interrupted. I am never disappointed as there is always something that catches my fancy.

It has been an interesting experience living on a backcountry road. I love it here, and I especially love our neighbors. With only ten houses scattered along the scenic road, we have formed a tight knit group that watches out for each other. We have had some interesting happenings here over the years – from car accidents, to house fires, to young lovers parking and watching our gorgeous sunset sink beyond the trees. And who could forget the summer Chuck the Duck made his home in the creek by the bridge.