Anne and I spent some time painting yesterday evening.
I hung this on the wall in our bathroom yesterday.
This morning as I was busy about the house I realized I hadn’t signed it.
So, I grabbed a pen I’d found in the bottom of my Bible bag and took down the painting.
The ink didn’t flow very well and I figured the pen was nearly out, but managed to get my initials on the corner.
As I replaced the picture I noticed a blob of black ink on the painting.
“Oh no!”
I got the painting back off the wall and saw black ink all over the back of the canvas and on the wall.
I grabbed a wash cloth and wiped up the mess.
Unfortunately some paint came off the painting as well as the ink, but I expected as much.
Once, I turned to the sink to wash the ink off my hands I saw my dress.
Black ink on the front.
“Uhg!”
I took off the dress and began trying to remove the stain.
Most of it came out.
I turned to head back into the closet and there was black ink on the tile!
“Yikes!”
Again I began cleaning as fast as possible.
Thankfully it all came up.
I got what I needed from the closet, took my dress to the laundry room and treated the ink.
Then I went to the kitchen.
I’d forgotten my pot of boiling potatoes due to the ink mess.
I quickly turned it off and removed the lid.
The topmost spud was so cooked it was beginning to fall apart which would greatly hinder me pouring the water off without sending potato down my drain.
I grabbed a utensil and tried to get the potato.
Of course it broke and splashed boiling water all over my right hand.
I dropped the potato which went to pieces.
More mess.
Eventually the potatoes were cooling in a bowl.
My hand felt better after running cool water over it and I decided to take a break.
Not long after this I received a text:
“I pray your day is well.”
-smile-
“Thank You, Jesus.”
The Lord knew I was going to have all this occurring and He had put me on someone’s heart.
As I related the story to our daughter she commented.
“I’m so glad all that ink didn’t happen to the carpet.”
-Wow-
I hadn’t even thought of that!
With this came several other things to be thankful for.
To name a few:
I’d almost worn my white linen top and cream colored skirt this morning, but felt I should go with the grey dress instead.
The boiling pot of potatoes could have burned me much more if potato had plastered my hand instead of water.
My attitude could have degenerated into frustration and anger, but throughout I felt comfort, that everything really would be fine.
And there is the lesson I learned in my teachable moment.
Jesus doesn’t act as a safety bubble, cushioning me from every discomfort.
Instead, Jesus walks with me, guiding and speaking with me, training through the circumstances.
Because pain can be an incredible teacher.
Thankfulness can bloom into praise.
Life is a wonderful gift, given by God.
And He’s using every part to teach my heart.
Psalm 86:11 KJV — Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for walking with me this morning. Thank You for keeping me in all these things. Lord, please continue to help me walk with you through each circumstance. Please shine Your truth into my life daily. Lord, thank You so much for teachable moments. May Your name be glorified throughout the whole Earth. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 