Following directions

I finished two projects on the to do list this past weekend.  I assembled a kitchen cart that our microwave sits on, and I assembled a TV stand.  We sorely needed both, and with my incredible construction knowledge and the eager willingness of two boys to "help" we got them put together.  What I found interesting, besides the terror of a three year old with a hammer, was the difference in directions that came with both.  One set was very detailed, and the other set was basically pictures, letters, and numbers and you were left to your own devices.  So which one do you think was easier to follow?  Actually, they both presented different challenges, and neither one was really easier.
I would have thought that the more detailed directions would make things easier, but sometimes they were too detailed and I found myself skipping over something or not being able to make heads or tails of what they were trying to say.  The directions with pictures, letters, and numbers was a little hard at the start, but once I got the gist of the instructions things went a long smoothly.  A quick aside: as I was assembling the kitchen cart I noticed that they sent me two pairs of right handed hinges and one pair of left handed hinges.  Well, I needed one right and two left.  After a minute, or 10, of using every curse word I could think of...carefully keeping them to myself because little ears were around...I decided to "modify" the hinges.  Yup, I knew better then the directions, and obviously someone messed up the packaging, so I set off to fix it.  Well, after some modifying I took a closer look at the directions and ended up unmodifying the hinges!  I wasn't completely wrong, but I made more work for myself unnecessarily.
Don't we wish life came with a set of directions?  I know I was looking around for the manual when we brought Isaac home for the first time!  If you're like me maybe you think that life would be easier if we had step by step instructions on how to get form here to there.  Well, maybe life could be easier, but do you think we'd follow the instructions carefully enough?  Or would you be like me and find the detailed instructions too easy and find yourself skipping a step or two and ending up starting over again.  Maybe you'd like some general guidelines, but then think you needed to modify somethings in your life because obviously the directions are wrong.  You know what?  We do have a manual for our lives and it is the Bible.  I bet you didn't see that one coming!  The Bible might not be able to spell out for us how we are to act in each and every situation we face.  The Bible might not be able to spell out for us how we raise perfect children, attain the 5 bedroom house and the 3rd car we just drive around in the summer, but the Bible does tell us how we can live a happy and content life.  There is a catch though...You need to read it, and better yet you need to follow the direction the Spirit gives you.  I know, pretty deep thoughts, but if you're searching for direction in your life the Bible is always a good place to turn.  Can you find time to read it?

Assuming the worst

I don't know if any of you are like me or not, but when it comes to an uncertain outcome I usually assume the worst.  Does that sound familiar?  Last Thursday I had my first big exam in my EMT class.  The test consisted of 75 multiple guess questions.  Of course you can eliminate 2 answers fairly easily, and then you have to choose between the 2 remaining answers.  Well, a lot of the time both of the 2 remaining answers were "right", and you had to pick the best answer.  I just love questions that start with: "Choose the best answer."  Ugh!  Needless to say I completed the test and I felt pretty dumb.  Then the instructor says he isn't going to grade them until the next night.  Awesome, now I get a whole day to wonder how I did.
Well, wonder I did.  I didn't sleep good the night after the test because I kept thinking of questions and answers and if I got the answer right.  Then I'd wonder what happens if I fail the test?  Does that mean I'm not supposed to be in the class?  Will everyone laugh at me because I couldn't pass the EMT class?  Will Tracy divorce me because all she's ever wanted in life is to be married to an EMT?  Okay, so that last question never entered my mind, but the other ones did along with a few more.  I immediately jumped to the worst possible conclusion.  Why?  I had no real reason to.  I knew I got a couple questions wrong, but other then that I had done everything I could do to prepare for the test.  I could honestly say I could do no more to prepare.  So why did I assume the sky was falling?
I'm pretty good at assuming the worst when it comes to things I do sometimes.  I'm very good at helping others look at the bright side and keep their head up, but when it comes to me and my stuff I still tend to assume the worst.  I could us a radio personality's theory on life: he doesn't want to be an optimist because then when good things happen you aren't happy because you expected it, and when bad things happen you're crushed.  He'd rather go through life as a pessimist because then when bad things happen you expect them and when good things happen you're pleasantly surprised.  Not a real cheerful person do be around I imagine.
When I/we assume the worst outcome I think we're doubting God a little bit.  Sure there are times in our lives when we don't do so good at something, but that doesn't mean the sky is falling does it?  I could give you all kinds of quotes about failing, but I think we all know that the important part is getting back up again.  So instead of assuming the worst outcome I/we need to have a little more faith in ourselves and in God.  No matter the outcome of the class for me God is still going to be at work in my life and life will go on.  And I know that if I put the work in I will do just fine.  Plus, nothing ventured nothing gained right?  So the next time I want to assume the worst I need to remember to look at the big picture and to remember that optimism is always more enjoyable than pessimism.  God isn't finished with me yet...I'm certainly still a work in progress so ups and downs are an expected way of life. 

PS-I did ok on the test if you're wondering

Ugh...now what?

Sometimes I wonder if the week after New Year's is the most depressing week of the entire year.  The build up of the holiday season is done, Christmas and New Years has past, school starts again, and all we have to look forward to is 3 or 4 more months of snow.  Plus, you have to deal with the stress of increased illnesses this time of year, and not getting the Christmas present you wanted!  Ok, so maybe one of those last two are a little silly, but really the Monday after New Years has to be one of the most depressing days of the entire year.
Whoa...did you just read that?  I depressed myself typing it, and I suppose if you look at the year like that you'll be depressed too.  I heard a statistic that made me chuckle on TV.  And, if it is on TV then you know it is true.  40% of adults make a New Year's resolution...8% keep that resolution.  What's worse...that only 40% of adults make a resolution to do something better, which might mean 60% of adults have given up on doing anything better, or that only 8% follow through with the resolution?  I'm one who doesn't make New Year's resolutions, and I haven't given up on trying to make myself better.  I've just found that resolutions are only going to work when I decide to commit the will power into making them work.
Now that I've completely bummed you out to start the year I want to say there is something refreshing about throwing that old calendar away and starting a new one.  You have an entire year in front of you in which you can start fresh if you want, and throwing that old calendar away helps you put the past behind you.  See, New Years isn't all bad.  I think we need a little New Years in our spiritual life too.  We need to be able to let go of past failures and hurts and start anew.  Just like tossing out that old calendar and looking at a new calendar just waiting to be filled.
The good news for us is that Jesus forgets our past mistakes when we ask for forgiveness.  We are the ones who continually hold on to them and can't let go.  Once we've confessed a sin it is forgotten, and we'd do good to remember that some more.  We can have a fresh start.  We can begin to reshape our lives and change our lives with the help of the Spirit.  We just need to be willing to turn that page on our lives and look forward to the life we have ahead of us.  A life that may not be perfect, but a life full of opportunities to live out the love, grace, and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all of us.  So, maybe one New Year's resolution could be to let go of the past and let Jesus help you with the present and future.  I think that one has a much better chance then 8% of succeeding!