I worked with her. She was so organized they teased that she even organized her paper clips! Ever know someone like that? Are YOU like that? Well, there's some "obsessive compulsive" in me somewhere--and I like things in order, not PERFECT order, but DECENT order! And that's where my teen sons and I part ways...it is an impossible struggle to keep my home in DECENT order...with food wrappers, papers, books, videos, clothes, games, all where they are NOT supposed to be! What to do? I have no clue...teaching, training, yelling, screaming, running away--nothing works! Will "growing up" work? Maybe...maybe not. So what WILL work?
How about "grace"? Listen to Thomas a Kempis (1380-147l), "It is no great matter to associate with the good and gentle; for this is a naturally pleasing to all, and everyone willingly enjoyeth peace, and loveth those best that agree with him. But to be able to live peaceably with hard and perverse persons, or WITH THE DISORDERLY, or with such as go contrary to us, is a great grace, and a most commendable thing."*
So where's the order in disorder? There IS none, but we, the "neatniks," can learn to live peaceably with the "never-neatniks" (and vice versa!) by God's "great grace!" Lord, give us "great grace" to live "with the disorderly" - and if you're one of them, go ahead and grin! If you're LIVING with one of them, go ahead and grin too--for only by a little good humor and a whole lot of God's grace-- will we ever both be able to co-exist! "Lord, help us ALL!"
And that's just an ORDERLY chuckle or two for your day--live in GOD'S GRACE today! Now go organize your paper clips--and have a great day!
Delight in a Word from the Well--a refreshing in the Water of His Word
Colossians 3:14-17
"...My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9)."
Draw from the Well--a prayer for renewing strength for this day
"Lord, I fall into one of two categories--organized or disorganized--and YOU know which one! For some of us, there seems to be no help...only Your grace! Give us grace to live "in love" with one another--to be patient, loving, kind--and Lord, help us to meet somewhere in the middle--in good humor--and in YOUR 'great grace!' In Jesus' Name, Amen."
