trbccoffeebreak

I’m a proverbial spiller. You got it. Ten children could be sitting around my table, and I’d be the one to spill my tea. Take me out to dinner and somehow slippy fingers lose their grip and wet drizzles off the edge of the table creating quite the mess. Waitress comes running to our rescue and everyone has a little bit of wet to clean up. Seems like messy always spills over and touch others.

Wonder what else in our lives spills over? Despite the fact we are convinced our actions and reactions don’t impact anyone but us, we are wrong. Everything we do, everything we say and the very things we don’t’ do absolutely affect others. No one leaves messy places without being impacted.

While my loose grip likes to follow me, I definitely don’t want what doesn’t serve me well to spill over. Takes intentionality and spiritual maturity to recognize choices that potentially can drizzle messy all around us. Pausing before reacting and responding definitely leaves less room for sticky situations. Evaluating our motives will minimize the proverbial spill we’d rather avoid. And simply reigning in our lack of self control for the Spirit’s control secures our footing.

Despite our best efforts, we can find ourselves the recipient of someone else’s mess. Easy to flip the scales and cast judgment. Doesn’t take much effort to determine messy is more than we want to help clean up. Mercy, grace, kindness and love vacate quickly in the face of a rescue we don’t intend to make. Divine wisdom seekers look to God for discernment rather than running for cover. Avoidance is preferred but then we’ve all been there when we really needed someone – just one – to step up to the plate and help us pick up the pieces.

Love our Sovereign God who knows our tendency to create messy and our lack of desire to rescue other’s messy. Blessed that He uses both to convict us, humble us, mature us, strengthen us and teach us what it means to welcome intervention and birth do-overs. Don’t know about you, but I’m not sure where I’d be if He hadn’t come running to my messy.

“Father, You are our rescuer – the One who comes when no one else will. You are our Wisdom guiding us in helping others. You are our Mercy Giver when our souls are desperately bare at Your feet. Everything we need is found in You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life