Attitude Adjustment…

We live in a rural area. Our home is set back from the road and so our driveway is a good length. My walks usually mean that I am walking laps in our driveway. It’s not a vigorous walk, but it does get me moving and that always helps.

Today as I walked down the steps to the driveway, I realized that I was not in the greatest mood. In fact, I was in a funk. I started up our drive looking at what was beneath me, twigs from the surrounding trees, and bits of grassy parts coming up where gravel once was. Grumbling, I muttered to myself that the grass needs to get removed. I glanced toward our roof, noticing that the weekend rains had brought leaves down onto it. I heaved a sigh and thought of how many more leaves will be all over in another 6 weeks. By this time I am almost to our road and that’s when I remembered what my walks were for.

My walks are to get me moving, but they are also a time for me to start my day off in a good direction, walking, but more importantly, a time of prayer. When I am outside I am not hearing the washer running, I am not looking at dust on furniture, I am not listening (or half listening) to any videos my hubby is watching (I mean do I really need to know how to drain a carburetor?). When I am outside I can focus clearly.

So, by time I got to the road this morning, I recognized my funk, it was a critical spirit rising up in me. I asked forgiveness and had an attitude adjustment. I sighed once more, only this time it was a cleansing sigh. I continued to do my “laps” as I call my driveway walks and each step got easier and easier. As I walked I was reminded about this house. What a miracle it was to find it, buy it, and just be here. I walked past the yard, looking at my gazebo framed by beautiful dogwoods, I remembered how beautiful it is in the spring with the blossoms framing the roof line. I strolled beside my little wishing well that is just a cute covering for a hose bib/and storage place, I smiled remembering how long I waited for a wishing well like that in my yard.

My funk was diminishing quickly. I started to remember what the Lord had done in giving us this home. How many answered ‘wishes’ He had given me with this property. Things I had admired in other places we had lived and I would whisper to myself how I would like to someday have ‘that”. This home has everyone one of those whispered wishes. It truly is a gift.

As I was starting to finish up my walk, I noticed our holly tree beside our home. It is tall and full of greenery at the top part. The trunk is curved, going one direction and then growing in the opposite direction. I had once heard it referred to as a ‘free-form’ holly tree. I have a love/hate relationship with the tree. It feeds the birds in December and it is a joy to see the tree filled with chirping birds feasting on the berries, but for the other months I consider removing it. Anyhow, as I looked at the tree I felt like the Lord said to me, “See how the trunk is shaped?” I replied that I did. This is what I then heard, “This tree is like your life. It grows in one direction, and then another, but the directions are one trunk. The main point is that you produce fruit. ”

What I gleaned from today’s walk is this, I may have twists and turns in my life, I may have rotten attitudes and moods, but, as long as I am striving to move toward our Lord and keep producing some fruit to nourish others, then today is a good day. My focus may look at the things around me, like Peter looking at the sea and the waves, and looking at these things will cause me to sink. Also, like Peter, I need to keep my focus on Jesus and none of the things of this world will cause me to drown.

Matthew 14:22-33 (The Passion Translation)

Jesus Walks on Water

²² As soon as the people were fed, Jesus told his disciples to get into their boat and to go to the other side of the lake while he stayed behind to dismiss the people. ²³ After the crowds dispersed, Jesus went up into the hills to pray. And as night fell he was there praying alone. ²⁴ But the disciples, who were now in the middle of the lake, ran into trouble, for their boat was tossed about by the high winds and heavy seas. ²⁵ At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the waves! ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on top of the water, they were terrified and screamed, “A ghost!” ²⁷ Then Jesus said, “Be brave and don’t be afraid. I am here!” ²⁸ Peter shouted out, “Lord, if it’s really you, then have me join you on the water!” ²⁹ “Come and join me,” Jesus replied. So Peter stepped out onto the water and began to walk toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he realized how high the waves were, he became frightened and started to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he cried out. ³¹ Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and lifted him up and said, “What little faith you have! Why would you let doubt win?” ³² And the very moment they both stepped into the boat, the raging wind ceased. ³³ Then all the disciples bowed down before him and worshiped Jesus. They said in adoration, “You are truly the Son of God!”

Cathi (DAF)

Advertisement