Bunny Trails That Give Bunnies a Bad Name

So I’m still caring for this pint-size Yorkie who, BTW, is about to get "shipped out" because she keeps telling me what to do. “Treat? Go for a Walk? Scratch my tummy! Put me as close to you as I possibly can get!" And, I yield to her, almost every time. Those big brown eyes are irresistible! What she doesn’t realize is that’s why I don’t have a pet of my own. I’m quite content with being responsible for just me and "just me" enjoys not having anyone telling me what to do, where to go, and what to say. Well, with the exception of Holy Spirit Who I’m prone to do, go and say what He says! I’ll admit, if someone was spying on us, they’d get a kick out of Emma and me conversing and me telling her she better “shape up or ship out”!

Our four-times-a-day walks include her trying to follow bunny trails – and me, reeling her back to the nice casual walk around the neighborhood. She endlessly sniffs around in circles, never getting anywhere. And she certainly never finds the bunny. But, I can’t blame her because I tend to go off on bunny trails myself. In fact, my bunny trails give bunnies a bad name. For example, I go to change my wash to the dryer, and on the way, I see my plant that needs to be watered and after I water the plant, I notice dishes that I need to put into the dishwasher. And, oh, while Im doing that, I realize I need to buy more dishwasher soap so I get my notepad. While I make a note of the soap, I hear a great commercial that says: “Order now. Call 1-800-xxx-xxxx.” I know I want it so as I start to order it, I remember that I need to change my wash to the dryer. Oh me!

Like I have to reel Emma back in, I think I’m feeling the tug from my Father – reeling me back in and reminding me: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways (including the bunny trails) acknowledge Me and I will make your paths straight!” (Proverbs 3:5,6) And from Psalm 119:1 “You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.”

I sure don’t want to be caught up going in circles, looking for a rabbit or bunny or even a squirrel. I desire to be focused, being intentional and purposeful in whatever my hands find to do. It’s been said that purposefulness is having “conscious” intention. It is having a clear focus on what and why we're doing it.

I’m tending to think that this little Yorkie is more God’s plan than it my kids’ plan. I need to learn what NOT to do – being double-and-triple minded instead of single-minded. I’m determined to devote myself to the project at hand, not a part time or sorta-kinda commitment. And combine it with faith to believe that God will help me live out the purpose He has given me.

Making the Most of Our Lives

Over the 19 years since the diagnosis of osteoarthritis in my fingers, some deformity occurred. Initially, the pain was so severe that I needed help to do the simplest things like buttoning a blouse or zipping up slacks. The worst part was being unable to pick up my grand-babies. Through prayer and wise nutrition counsel, I have had no pain or only minuscule pain if I overuse them. I continue to stand in faith for total healing. But, what a small price to pay for years of the gift of using these hands to type, write and accomplish so many things in so many ways. Such a gift to be able to hold someone's hand and lay these hands on those in need or prayer. I'll continue to use them despite looking a little gnarly. I am not complaining.

I can't complain at all, especially when I see others with even worse physical issues. I was touched by Shane Claiborne's book, "The Irresistible Revolution", subtitled "Living as an Ordinary Radical", that describes what a truly Christian lifestyle should be like based on his personal experience with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India. He wrote: "People often ask me what she was like. Sometimes it's like they wonder if she glowed in the dark or had a halo. She was short, wrinkled, and precious, maybe a little ornery, like a beautiful, wise, old granny. But there is one thing I will never forget -- her feet. Her feet were deformed. I would stare at them. A Sister explained: "Her feet are deformed because we get just enough donated shoes for everyone, and Mother does not want anyone to get stuck with the worst pair, so she digs through and finds them. And years of doing that have deformed her feet."

Years of loving her neighbor as herself deformed her feet. When people are asked about the person whose life they most admire, so often the answer is "Mother Teresa". She made the most of her life which sounds strange when we consider her life was a life of self-denial, taking up her cross, following Jesus.

Life is an extraordinary and a wonderful gift. God's Word constantly urges us not to waste this gift but to make the most of our lives. "Making the most of our lives", to some, varies from seeing the seven wonders of the world, being sure to visit every state in the union, climbing the tallest mountain, running a marathon each year OR, in the case of exhausting this body that was given us to make a difference in our world or at least to make a difference in those who God places in our lives. My bucket-list has become a shorter list these days -- because now I'm seeing clearer what "making the most of my life is really all about". Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, your love and your joy -- just maybe -- I can make the most of my life today by surrendering my will to yours.