The Joy (and Confusion) of Substitutions
Living in rural Wales has its challenges, and one of them is grocery shopping. Thankfully, we live in an age where I can order my groceries online and have them delivered right to my door. What a blessing! No more trudging through the aisles with my wonky joints or trying to manage heavy bags with my fibro-weary muscles.
But there's one quirky aspect of online shopping that never fails to amuse (and sometimes befuddle) me—the substitutions. When an item is out of stock, the store attempts to provide a suitable replacement. Sometimes these swaps make perfect sense, like exchanging one brand of butter for another. However, there are times when I'm left scratching my head and wondering if perhaps the substitution algorithm has gone rogue.
No River Too Wide
Have you ever felt like the obstacles in your life were just too big to overcome? Like the river was overflowing its banks, and there was no way to cross? I know I have. In fact, I was just thinking about that the other day as I was reading through 1 Chronicles 12.
In this chapter, we read about the Gadites, a group of warriors who came to fight for David. Now, these guys were no strangers to battle. They were "men of might, and men of war fit for the battle" (1 Chronicles 12:8). But when they arrived at the Jordan, they found that the river was overflowing its banks. In the days of Joshua, the river had parted, and the Israelites had crossed on dry ground. But this time, there was no dry ground to be found.
Lessons From a Midnight Mouse
I jolted awake to the sound of scratching and scampering, followed by an excited "Woof!" from our terrier, Tess. I turned on the bedside lamp, revealing our pup's intense focus on something beneath our dresser. That's when I spotted it—a tiny grey mouse darting across our bedroom floor.
Talk about a rude awakening! Living in rural Wales, backed up against sheep pastures and woodlands, I suppose we should have expected such visitors sooner. But after two years without any uninvited guests, we'd grown complacent. Now, here we were, at midnight, watching our typically sweet-natured terrier transform into a determined hunter.
Needless to say, sleep proved elusive that night. Between Tess's vigilant guard duty and my heightened awareness of every little sound, morning couldn't come soon enough.
The Busyness Bandaid
Sometimes, it's not life's demands that keep us overly busy but rather the need to run from something. We keep ourselves busy to avoid dealing with our troubles or to keep our minds from spiraling out of control with worries and frustrations. The thought of rest scares us.
Let me tell you, when I attempt to sit still and do nothing, my mind wanders faster than a toddler in a toy store. I fret about circumstances so far beyond my control that I might as well try to lasso the moon. I ruminate over past missteps until I've practically worn a groove in my brain. It's less daunting to immerse myself in a flurry of activity than to confront those fears and regrets head-on. I find solace in the familiar rhythm of my daily tasks as if folding laundry and scrubbing toilets can keep the shadows at bay. (Spoiler alert: they can't, but at least my whites are whiter, and my bathroom sparkles!)
Ironically, my constant striving for perfection in all aspects of my life only fuels my anxiety and self-doubt. I desire to be the best wife, missionary, and author I can be, but I often fall short of my lofty expectations. This, in turn, leads to a vicious cycle of overworking and exhaustion that would make even the Energizer Bunny throw in the towel.
Mindfulness in Christian Living
This morning, Jason decided to treat us to homemade scones for breakfast. It was a lovely gesture, to be sure, but one that didn't quite go according to plan.
You see, our oven is a bit of a peculiar beast. It's got two knobs: one for temperature and another for the various oven controls. You can turn up the temperature without turning on the oven or turn on the oven without adjusting the temperature. We typically leave the temperature set and only fiddle with the control knob, as we're creatures of habit when it comes to baking temperatures.
Jason went about his merry way, mixing the ingredients and shaping the scones with the precision of a master baker. He popped them in the oven, set the timer, and waited for the magic to happen. But when the timer went off, he opened the oven door to find... raw dough. The scones looked exactly as they had when he'd put them in!
Swing Low, Sweet Slug
As the summer weather continues, I find myself spending more and more time outside on my swing. It's the perfect spot to enjoy the fresh air, soak up some rare Welsh sunshine, and spend time with my furry companion, Tess. I love to use this time to read my Bible, pray, or do some writing. It's my little slice of heaven here on earth.
But recently, my peaceful swing time was interrupted in a most unexpected way. As I sat there, enjoying the gentle rocking motion and the sound of birds chirping, something fell from above and landed in my lap. To my horror, I discovered it was a ginormous slug! Evidently, the slimy creature had crawled up to the top of the swing and either lost its grip or deliberately decided to pay me a visit.
On Guard!
Have you ever ordered something online only to receive a product that was completely different from what you expected? Well, that recently happened to me.
I had ordered a supplement from eBay, a product I've purchased many times before from various sellers. But when the order arrived, I was immediately concerned. None of the bottles were sealed, which I knew was odd because I’ve always received sealed bottles.
Looking at the product more closely, I began to notice many strange things. The logo was a bit off, and there were typos on the label. The pills themselves were a different size and much less full than usual. Feeling unsure about what was actually in these supplements, I contacted the seller for a refund.
Out of Your Hands, Out of Your Head
I recently heard a quote that instantly resonated with me: "If it's out of your hands, get it out of your head." How often do we stress over things completely out of our control? Whether it's a situation at work, a disagreement with a loved one, or a global pandemic, there are just some things that we can't change.
But here's the thing: worrying about those things doesn't do us any good. In fact, it makes us feel worse. When we focus on the negative, it can be hard to see the positive. We can become consumed by our anxiety and anger, and it can be challenging to break free from those feelings.
So what's the solution? The best way to push those negative thoughts from our minds is to cram our minds so full of positive thoughts that there's no room left for negativity.
Belted for Battle
Sitting here at my desk, I can't help but be thankful for the snug embrace of my new best friend—my SI belt. Before you start imagining some high-tech gadgetry or a superhero accessory, let me assure you it's far more mundane yet equally miraculous in its own way.
As many of you know, for years, I've battled with back pain that would make a contortionist wince. It's been a constant companion, like that one relative who overstays their welcome at family gatherings. But recently, my osteopath introduced me to this simple yet effective tool: the Sacroiliac (SI) belt.
This unassuming piece of equipment wraps around your hips, providing stability to the sacroiliac joint—that's the spot where your spine meets your pelvis. It's like giving your lower back a supportive hug, encouraging proper alignment and reducing strain. The first time I put it on, I half expected to hear angels singing. While that didn't happen, the relief I felt was nothing short of heavenly.
Losing Our Edge
Did you know a dull knife can be more dangerous than a sharp one? It's true! Without that razor edge, you apply more pressure and risk slipping as the blade catches. Who knew?
Similarly, spiritually dull Christians pose hazards, too, often without realizing it. Now, I'm not suggesting we go around stabbing people with convictions, but lukewarm faith does subtle damage.
When passion cools and vision blurs, we drift along numbly. Rather than piercing darkness, our words and witness lose edge. We fear ruffling feathers with truth. But Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend,” meaning caring rebuke holds more value than mute passivity.