This blog is going to be a little different, as it will be a challenge to participate in. John 21;18 ''Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Are you ready for this? Not all, but many will face this dilemma either on the giving or receiving end.
We all look forward to becoming adults so we can do what we want and do things our way. Well as Christians, we learn thru trials that our way needs to be led by Jesus. Our lives are a process of surrendering and sanctification. Will our surrender be one of a willing nature or a hard fought battle? In what ways will God teach me to rely on Him and not myself or this body?
''Often God’s blessings result from our compliance with seemingly insignificant requests. Though we prefer He ask us to perform great tasks that will impact large crowds, obedience in small matters is our proving ground. If we refuse His prompting to perform some minor action, what reason have we given Him to trust us with a more important responsibility?''
Okay so my challenge to you will make you and your spouse, best friend or whoever you choose uncomfortable, but it'll be a preview of how you'll surrender to the aging process. The challenge is for you to let someone else brush your teeth and vice versa. Please comment on your experience via here, facebook, or email.
Angie, I have reached the place in my life where I have to depend on Sorita (or another of my children) for many things. I didn't find it hard to release my hold on finances and having to have someone else do my housework, but I know that this is the season that God has me in at this time. Being dependent on another who accepts it as a privilege makes it easier to do.
ReplyDeleteI have found that having more time frees me up to study God's Word and pray for others, which is an encouragement to me.
I love you so much and you inspire me to do what I can do in the strength the Lord gives for each day. I'm learning that 'this is the day that the LORD has made' is today, not just Sundays.
Enjoy this beautiful day. I hope the cool wind is not affecting your affliction more. Grace
We've had to do things like that for each other, Phil and I, while recovering from surgeries. Neither of us handles it well, frankly. But having a sense of humor helped us, plus knowing we were committed. Probably the thing that amazed me the most was that when my wrist was in a temporary sling and I was still on pain pills, pretty out of it, I had gone for 3 or 4 or four days without being able to wash my hair. An amazing friend came over with some homemade soup and said, "We're going to wash your hair today." It was amazing because she was recovering from a broken leg which had required surgery and so her leg, while mostly healed was still in a boot. Our bathroom is tiny and so here we were, me with my wrist in a wrap, still throbbing, plus my balance wasn't the best. She was trying to get my head under the shower so she could wash my hair while bracing her bum leg against the bathtub. I have to say I was embarrassed at first but before long we were both laughing and somehow it worked out. Instead of ruining our friendship (as I feared) and placing me under an obligation I could never repay, it turned out to be hysterically funny and it deepened our friendship. Maybe it's the same with God (not that He has a bum leg or anything - don't mean that. But that surrender is hard but it brings unexpected benefits spiritually.
ReplyDeleteI liked your comments Grace and Cathie--I especially liked that "surrender is hard but it brings unexpected benefits spiritually." Well today Wayne and I tried brushing each others teeth--it didn't go so well--we both went and rebrushed after the other was thru. I think Wayne brushed my gums more than my teeth and he kept closing his mouth while I was trying to brush his, so I couldn't see what I was doing. He said I failed. All I can say is I hope I never have to count on him to brush my teeth all the time. Basically you can say this is frustrating when you know you would do it better. I'm sure this either develops patience or anger and I think we all would say developing patience would be better. Angie, you have an amazing attitude and patience--I am so thankful for that and very proud of how you handle difficulties. Mom
ReplyDeleteI've seen how hard surrender will be watching Mother try to let go of control. And I know you and me and every bullheaded female on this family faces the same difficulty. We just wanna do it all ourselves and its my way only. Tough to get past it. Praying for grace.
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