The Little Things

It's the little things, the details, the everyday and the ordinary.  These is what makes up most of our time here on earth.  And this is where a lot of frustration comes in.  It's one thing to understand that the Lord has this big plan for our lives, but getting through the technicality of living is what usually trips us up. For me, one of those things is my hair.  It is an endless source of frustration and woe for me.  Just one of the details that make up a day.  I've always wanted that great hair, easy to manage, you don't do much and it looks just fine....But that is definitely not my lot in life. My hair is fine, tends to frizz, and just plain doesn't stay how I want it no matter how much I fuss with it.  And we won't even go into the money spent over the years on styling products that don't do a darn thing!!

Now, I know this is not earth shattering.   I know there is no spiritual, eternal issues hanging in the balance of this problem of mine.  But it is a daily vexation that I seem to fight with the Lord about each time I try to manage that stuff growing out of the top of my head!!

Okay, on to the God visit part of this discourse.   I finally got out for a run yesterday (yaaay for that) and as usual I was listening to a Joyce Meyer podcast entitled "Intimacy With God."  In it she was saying that being intimate with God meant holding nothing back, inviting Him in to every area, each small detail of our lives.  She went on to tell a story of being on a bowling league.  She was having a not so great game when she felt God prompt her to ask for His help.  Her inner dialogue was something like.."well I can't ask for help with bowling, it's not spiritual...."  But she still felt His prompting and went ahead and asked...and her game improved.

So as I was listening to this, I started down that well worn "thought road" in my head...well I am always frustrated with my hair, why don't You help with that?"  And immediately, I mean before I even finished the thought, Joyce says, (and I can't remember the exact words), "Why don't you ask for help with your hair and stop being angry?"   Wow!!  Honestly, it's not so much about the asking, it's about the timing of the statement that shocked and uplifted me.  And the "stop being angry" part as well.  I wrote about my conversations with Lord being more grumbling and complaining than talking with Him on Tuesday...and this includes my hair conversations over the years as well.  So the "stop being angry" part really through me for a loop.  

Again, I know this hair thing is not a life altering concern.  But the attitude in which I approach it and other irritations, situations (both large and small) in my life is.  I can either approach them with  faith, peace, trust and respectfully speak to the Lord about each area of my life...or I can come at them with frustration, and anger, whining and complaining the whole way through my day.  Hmmm, seems like a no brainer there!!

Lord, help me with my day. The world You created is extremely detailed, specific and wonderful...so I know the small stuff is important to You.  So I bring each element of today to You.  Lord, I want to stop complaining and start a new way of staying connected with You.  I invite You into my day. Help me to be respectful when I speak with You.  Forgive me for not being so all along.  I love You Lord. Please help me with my hair and everything else I need to do today...Let each act, each word, each thought bring glory to Your name.

Matthew 10:29-30  Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to Him than a whole flock of sparrows.