Mice

Along with the many joys of country living comes our pesky little rodent friends - yes, I am talking about mice. So, as you can imagine, Andrew and I were simply overjoyed to find our home was once again invaded (thank you incoming cold weather). And, as disgusting as this sounds, there are mice remnants in our office, in our basement, and, if you come downstairs quietly - the pesky little friends will run across the floor and flaunt their excitement for their new home. (Can you sense the sarcasm here? If not, note - we do NOT like Mice... at all.)

Now, don't get me wrong - mice are quite cute. They are tiny, squeaky and almost adorable... if they are caged and not running rampant in your home. If you aren't careful, you can be consumed by their cute faces and forget they forage and spread nasty diseases in your home while eating your electrical cords and damaging your walls. And, then, when you least expect it - the mice multiply! And, then, there are more deceptively cute pests roaming your home looking to destroy your limited edition chocolate chips or your freshly baked bread.

So, I did what any normal, sane person would do - I called the exterminator... and equipped with poison, glue traps, and other rodent-eliminating necessities - he came to save the day.

Now, you are probably wondering - what do mice, exterminators and nasty diseases have to do with God? Its quite simple really - in James 1:13-15, we read that sin entices. Its starts off cute and boy are you deceived! Then, once you are dragged away and enticed (into believing the mouse or sin is harmless), the disease begins to spread and the sin becomes out of control. The once cute looking, manageable sin multiplies into colonies of mice and sin - unable to be controlled.

The good news is - there is a way to eliminate the sin from the start - Call the exterminator - God. Call upon Him and He will answer. For, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13). Only God can fully exterminate the sin. And, only He can make sure it doesn't multiply.

James 1:13-15 "When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters..." Isaiah 55:1

Comments are Critical!

I've never been one to enjoy correction. I don't know many people who do. In fact, I thrive on doing things right the first time. In school, I wanted my paper returned with an A, not just any A, but a 100 - anything short was simply lacking.

In life, I want my ducks in a row - I want supper to be perfect, my house to be clean, my life to be in order - I don't want correction... it means something is not up to par. I strive on perfectionism... in some aspects, and well, in others - I really don't care. I guess you could say certain things matter to me and I want those things to be perfect.

Unfortunately, perfection is rarely achieved and I find myself needing and in fact getting corrected. Sometimes, I take correction personally. Instead of listening and acting, I get my feelings hurt or I assume the person is wrong and strive to prove them so. Other times, I see their point of view and fail to acknowledge it. But, would you believe the best things happen when I meet correction head-on?!?!

You see, at school, we are constantly observed. There are state people, principals, other teachers, and even my graduate school professors that pop in and see how things are going. And, yes, they ALWAYS offer correction. And, thankfully, over the past few years, I've learned correction is not bad, its good. Correction is God's way of making us more like Jesus. But, if we don't take correction and use it - we aren't getting any closer to the One we want to be like.

After reading Proverbs 1, I decided most of us are not even looking at correction in the correct light. Instead of seeing it as an opportunity, we see it as a hurdle. Instead of using correction to make our lives better, we dwell on it and make our lives worse.

God says, "for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young - let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance - for understanding...." (Proverbs 1:2-6a)

In other words, correction is important and those who don't listen, those who don't value, and those who don't adjust are foolish. Without correction - we will never become more like Jesus. But, with guidance, correction, and application - We can be closer to the One we love.


"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters..." Isaiah 55:1