Sleep On That

So I can tell it's going to be one of those nights. A night if I don't talk, I won't sleep, and by talking... I mean writing. It is, after all, how we non-talkative people survive, We want to talk when there's no one around to hear us talk or maybe, just maybe, we use that as an excuse because we really don't want to run the risk of someone actually talking back.

Yes. I am exhausting myself.

I am drowning in a sea of negativity.
Overwhelmed by constant whining.
And totally taken under by complaining.

Grown-ups can be so annoying.

What ever happened to finishing well? Doing our best? Putting others before ourselves? I'm reminded of a song I use to sing with a 4th - 6th grade class: JOY.

Jesus and
Others and
You.

When will we ever learn that when we put ourselves first, it is always going to fall short. I don't know how to put this mildly... it rather stinks. There's a stench in the air when we try to take center stage. Period. The last time I checked, it wasn't suppose to be about us.

I know, I know. This particular post probably has its own stench about it. My mind has just been flooded the last few days. Flooded with memories. Flooded with reminders. Flooded with lessons learned when I forgot that it wasn't all about me. I despise seeing others struggle with the same thing, especially when they don't even recognize struggle.

ADULTS, haughty with their nose in the air, convinced that there is no authority over them. KIDS, indignant to authority because they are imitating those same adults in their life.

Rebellion runs rampant and the good people of the world shake their head and wonder why (slight hint of sarcasm there). As a wise man once said, "When kids are out of control, they are in control." That statement ought to stop a few of us in our tracks.

I was reminded today of a couple of scriptures:

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17.
As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart. Proverbs 27:19.
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin. Proverbs 18:24.

I could keep going. Proverbs, after all, has a lot going on. I suppose my point- scratch that- HIS point has been made. We need to be careful. Our actions matter. CHARACTER MATTERS. Nobody buys your baloney when the stink from the rind runs them off.

Or something like that.

Finish WELL, people. Put Jesus first. Imitate HIM. Put others second. SERVE them. Put yourself last...

And bask in the gratefulness.

God is good.

I am thankful for Him, my family, my country, my friends, and my job.

I pray the lessons I have learned, I will never forget.




Now, I can sleep.