A while back I went into my hall closet to grab some extra napkins. The bag was already opened so I just quickly grabbed a handful and went back into the kitchen. As I was putting the napkins into the napkin holder a roach... yes, a roach... crawled out. Since we do not live in the suburbs, finding insects is fairly common. However, roaches are in a different category. I despise them. I feel personally offended when they get into my house. Anyway, this one time, I found this one roach in my napkins. One time. A year ago. But, can you guess what I now do each and every time I replace the napkins? That's right. I look to make sure there are no roaches hiding between them. Thankfully, there has never been another roach in my napkins. But, because of that one time, I look every time!
One time I was worried about my future, but God was faithful. The next time, I worried again. But God was faithful. And then, I worried yet again! But, to my surprise, God was faithful. I wish my story sounded more like this: one time when I was a little girl I got scared during a thunderstorm. However, God comforted me that night. Ever since then, because of that one time He was there for me, I have never doubted again. But, no. Sadly, I routinely doubt and struggle in my faith. A single roach can change the course of my life, but not God. Ridiculous, but true.
I was reminded of one of the verses from the old hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, and identify with the author:
One time I was worried about my future, but God was faithful. The next time, I worried again. But God was faithful. And then, I worried yet again! But, to my surprise, God was faithful. I wish my story sounded more like this: one time when I was a little girl I got scared during a thunderstorm. However, God comforted me that night. Ever since then, because of that one time He was there for me, I have never doubted again. But, no. Sadly, I routinely doubt and struggle in my faith. A single roach can change the course of my life, but not God. Ridiculous, but true.
I was reminded of one of the verses from the old hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, and identify with the author:
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
So prone to wander. So quick to forget. Yet, He is always faithful! Amazing. My life reflects so many stories of the Lord's faithfulness to me and those I love. Why in the world do I put more expectation on a roach than I do on the Lord Almighty? Why do I remember the effects of a tiny roach more than I do the last time I saw the hand of God in my life? The good news is that now each time I grab a napkin I am reminded of this struggle in my life. The Lord is even faithful enough to use roaches and napkins to teach me life lessons. Today, when you reach for a napkin be reminded of the Lord's work in you over the course of your life. If you see a roach... just step on him. Or, simply chuckle at how the Lord can use such a small thing to show his power. Of course, these are only my thoughts, as I'm only passing through.
Copyright © Rachel D. Butler and Only Passing Through. All Rights Reserved.
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing: Text: Robert Robinson, 1735-1790, Music: Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second, Tune: NETTLETON
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