Don't Breach the Dam

What do pictures of a dam breach and an example from my grandkids have in common?  Proverbs 17:14~that’s what!   

I have heard and seen pictures of dam breaches in news stories of floods and hurricanes. I recall the devastation that was left behind. But something about last night’s news coverage from the breached dam in Boulder, Co. left me thinking, “THAT’S what a breached dam is!”  It was that perfect picture that showed it all…what happened and what it left behind…all in one shot!

Then this morning I read from Proverbs 17 (since this is September 17^th). Verse 14 states,

 “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam: so drop the matter before a quarrel breaks out.”  

Of course, the first thing I pictured was the shot from last night’s news story.  All the sudden the familiar verse took on a whole new meaning!  I thought, “Ah Hu…LightThoughts topic!~Now I need an illustration.”

Then that came to me as well.

Now, I would like to be the first to tell you that I have the world’s most perfect grandchildren…but…

I started thinking about their arguments~~(you know the three-side kind that don’t seem to end),

Then he…

     But you…

         Did not…

              Did too…

and all the times I have said, “Just drop it…it’s over”.  Is it just my grandkids, or is it kids in general?…they don’t drop it! One of them always seems to make one more comment…and it gets the whole ball rolling again!  Sound familiar?

Proverbs 17:14 reminds us that these kinds of never-ending arguments just continue to bring heartache (and headaches!) and ultimate disaster.

A dam breach can either take place when the river has reached its limit and overflows the dam. You see the water rising and know what is about to happen in the next few hours. There is enough time to evacuate and protect your property. There is enough time to save some of the damage.  Or, the river comes on with such force that it bursts through the dam with very little warning. 

http://thebluereview.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Teton-Dam-breached-waterachives.jpg

 

An argument works in the same way. It can either go on way too long, and everyone knows that hurt feelings, heartache, and long-lasting grudges are going to take place. ‘Evacuations’ are encouraged, yet often ignored. Or, an argument can so quickly and unexpectedly get out of hand that serious damage is done before either party ‘knows what hit them’. Either way, breaching the dam is dangerous, painful, and often life-changing.

Solution? The second half of this synthetic proverb…"So drop the matter before a dispute breaks out."

 My grandchildren’s arguments do finally end, usually with no harm done. By the time we get home they are laughing and are friends again. 

Not so with adult arguments...

They are usually much more sophisticated in nature (although often just as immature) and create deeper and more long-lasting effects.

Who are you mad at? Are you currently involved in an argument/disagreement with someone that just doesn’t seem to end?  Drop it (find a way to bring it to an end)…before the dam breaches. The damage could be heart-breaking…and devastating.

Grandma said, “Drop it!”

Debbie

Pardon the Interruption

Well, I am reading through 2 Chronicles~again! Reason number one, it really is an interesting book, with some ‘comical’, yet thought-provoking situations. Reason number two, as I read through the last time, I kept telling myself, “I’m going to remember that for my SS class”-and I did, as it fit into my Old Testament lessons right at the moment~or, to use in a LightThought or some other situation.  Yep, you guessed it, I couldn’t remember where all the different passages were! I should have marked them, journalled them or written them down somewhere! So, I am reading it again~and will do a better job. 

It just so happened, like it always does in God’s Word, something new popped out! I did not notice the impact and/or possible humor in 2 Chronicles 5:14 in previous readings. Of course it is only humorous if you take it to heart! 

Solomon had completed the new Temple, furnishings were being brought in, and the priests and the Levites were running around ‘like chickens with their heads cut off’ trying to prepare for the special dedication service. 

As you can read in the preceding verses, detailed plans were set in motion as the service began. Musicians, decked out in their finest clothing, starting the service in praise with cymbals, harps, and lyres.  A massive choir joined with 120 trumpeteers singing, “HE is good…HIS mercy endures forever”. Solomon was getting ready to address the nation and dedicate this glorious Temple to the LORD GOD.  

Everything was going along beautifully! I am sure everything was right on schedule! The worship leader and Solomon must have been extremely pleased with how things were going….THEN

(verse 14) the priests could no longer perform their duties (the service could not even continue) because the GLORY of the LORD filled the Temple of God!

Everything came to a standstill…Oh no! Now what do we do? We can’t see our music! The speaker is speechless! The congregation can’t see what’s going on up on stage! Disaster!  

Was it really?  We sometimes set out to worship our Lord whether it be in our church service or in our private devotion time~and things change. An unexpected death or accident occurs Saturday night, that completely changes the complexity of the Sunday morning service….the Pastor feels led of the Lord to change his message-which now in no way matches the song service (or so we think).  For some reason we find ourselves reading a different passage than what the ‘schedule’ says we should read on Tuesday. During our prayer time we find thoughts of a missionary family swarming our minds and ‘we can’t concentrate on’ what we SHOULD be praying about…and you can continue to add to the list.

We can’t fulfill our ‘duties’ because the Spirit of the Lord has interrupted our plans...

Psalms 46:10~Be still, and know that I am God…

We often use this verse to remind ourselves to slow down when we become overwhelmed with doing…

Let’s remember to consider this verse and allow God to be a part of our doing…to direct our doing!

Sometimes we just need to completely come to a standstill and appreciate the Spirit of the Lord in the circumstance.

There are no interruptions~~just opportunities!

He is good~His mercy endures forever!

Debbie

Beautiful YOU

Duh alert~

I was watching my grandson change his Mii on our Wii system the other morning (which he likes to do a lot). He asked me if I wanted to change mine. I said, “No, E, I like mine just the way it is.”

After our conversation, I continued that thought.  I said to myself, “I created that Mii just the way I wanted to and like her just as she is.” Then, I smacked myself on the forehead (theoretically, of course) and thought, “My goodness, that is exactly what God thinks”—and we, like my grandson, are always wishing we could change our appearance every chance we get!

Just a ShortThought today!

You are beautiful, just the way you are!

Enjoy your Mii,

 

Debbie

Sights and Sounds of College Move-in Day

I was able to witness a variety of scenes today as I greeted new students and families on Move-in Day at the college where my husband and I work.

There may not be any particular scripture to go along with this LightThought, but it definitely will bring a smile or two---or maybe even a cringe or two.

From my vantage point as greeter/door opener to Station One in the process, I was able to view a big portion of the campus and see families coming and going to and from the various stations along the ‘get everything taken care of before you get your key’ path!

I saw:

One dad sitting in a nice, shady area reading while his son went through the process on his own.

New students walking with their guide while mom and dad lagged slightly behind.

Mom and Dad walking with the guide while the student lagged slightly behind.

Mom walking with the guide while Dad and student lagged slightly behind.

Mom approach the table at Station One first and introducing her child to the volunteers.

Student approach the table at Station One first and initiating the process.

Mom carrying the black enrollment folder with THE checklist.

Student carrying the black enrollment folder with THE checklist.

Student looking frantically for mom and dad before proceeding to the next station.

Mom who asked student, “Did you ask where the bathroom was?”

Student arriving at Station One with mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, and all the siblings.

Single, true Freshmen arriving on their own (without parents).

I laughed at some sights and shook my head at others, yet had to hold back some tears for the last group.  Yep, we can laugh at those ‘Helicopter Parents”, but at least they were there!

Prayers for our students,

Debbie

Crazy Driver?

A few weeks ago I posted a blog segment entitled, ‘Finishing the Race’-June 10, 2013. I was reminded of that segment when the following ‘thought’ came to my mind! 

As a disclaimer, my heart motive is pure, and I by no means want to come across as disrespectful!

A lot of changes have been taking place in my career and ministry this summer…unexpected changes! While trying to keep track, the following popped into my funny little creative mind! It kind of reminds me of driving in Springfield!

Envision this:

I am 'driving' along following ‘the car’ in front of me (God-laying out my lifepath) as carefully as I can. Things are moving along smoothly when all the sudden ‘the car’ in front of me makes an abrupt stop and a sharp left turn (without even signaling!). Right after I catch my breath from that ‘close call’, ‘he’ makes another abrupt stop and makes a sharp right turn—of course, without signaling! I am not sure if any more of those abrupt stops and turns lie ahead because this car in front of me is now driving very slowly and cautiously on a small Farm Road with signs posted every few miles that read, “Blind Curves Ahead”.  I guess I should trust ‘this guy’ in front of me and follow as closely and carefully as I can!

Does your life ever feel like you are driving in Springfield (or wherever you choose to complain about drivers!)?  Trust the One who paved the route, follow closely, and proceed cautiously!  Oh, and the car behind you…that’s the tow truck! (See Finishing the Race...)

Drive Safely~~

Debbie