How to Gauge What I Don’t Want to Measure
So, sometimes I can look in the mirror and gauge my charm level. Other times, memes on Facebook remind me: Pause, princess. Life is not about you, today.
What I know intellectually, however, I often do not believe emotionally. Hence, funny reminders to pause chill are good tonic.
When that happens, this revives:
But, then I remember how unpredictable the past four or five chapters have been; how I am as completely ignorant of what may come, as Anne Bradstreet may have been in the 17th century.
What she wrote after seeing her house burn also reminds me these 21st century losses have a point too:
“Here Follows Some Verses upon the Burning of Our House July 10th, 1666”:
“I blest His name that gave and took,
That laid my goods now in the dust.
Yea, so it was, and so ’twas just.
It was His own, it was not mine….
The world no longer let me love,
My hope and treasure lies above.” ( Source)
Yep, these are difficult times for everybody; let me not complicate anybody’s day by being difficult.
Nothing New, Except to Me
Here, a friend and former pastor held up a mirror of sorts: An Epidemic of Foolishness.
Following Jesus does not mean avoiding conflict. It means that we do not let fools set our tone or agenda. No speech, blog, news report, tweet or post … no poll, rumor or viral video … no personal opinion or national threat justifies a Christian imitating anyone but Jesus Christ. (Glenn Parkinson)
In his mirror, I gauge, sometimes I am like one of the ones mentioned in a recent article by Christianity Today: Bible Reading Drops During Social Distancing. A reason for charm depletion?
Anne Bradstreet didn’t have as much Scripture and sound preaching and teaching as I do – as we all do. What am I doing with the bounty?
How are you staying watered and fed during these crazy days? I’d love to hear your suggestions!
How do you gauge your charm level?
Gauging my charm level may not be the number of completed paintings.
If I want to be as useful as I am charming, if I wish to have this as my daily agenda, I need to assess my my gauge . . . even as I keep painting.
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I don’t see myself as a charming person, but the other night, I was really rude and dismissive to my generous, sweet husband. Once I realized that he was indeed not over-reacting, I was genuinely shocked and wondered where my snotty attitude came from. I did devotions that day. I exercised that day. I ate some junk food – I’ll blame that. But in the end it comes down to Glen Parkinson’s wisdom, I wasn’t imitating Christ. Thankfully, my generous, sweet husband is also a godly man, and he forgave me. I should probably stay away from the junk food anyway 🙂
Good insights into a familiar problem . . . sugar doesn’t make me “sweet” either. Thanks for reading and commenting, friend