Why do Golf balls have dimples?

Image by WebWideJosh via Flickr

When they first manufactured golf balls, they made the covers smooth. A certain young man, who was having severe financial difficulties, loved to play golf. He did not let the fact that he had only one old, beat up golf ball, keep him from playing. The men he was playing gold with had new, smooth, shiny golf balls. As they played, it was discovered Pete’s ball got a lot more distance and went straighter than the smooth balls.

Today, all golf balls are manufactured with dimples all over the covers. With these rough spots, the ball goes further.

So it is with life. It takes some rough spots in your life to make you go the farthest, to bring the best out in you.
From 12 Ways to Develop a Positive Attitude, Dale E. Galloway, page 56

James says that we are to,

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Your dimples and rough spots are building you into
a person of perseverance

Let that perseverance take hold of you and make you into the person that God wants to recreate.

Think of this when you are experiencing;

pain and prejudice

grief and godlessness

anger and anguish

hatred and heated discussions

financial difficulties and friendship issues

selfishness and sinfulness

weeping and wishing

loss and loneliness

Father,

Thank you for the rough spots in my life. They help me see you more clearly and give me the perseverance to go the distance. I want to cling to you and what you are doing instead of my circumstances. Remind me through your word how to persevere.

Jann

The distracted gardener

Image by bmitd67 via Flickr

Weeds! You pull them and they just keep coming back. Early this summer I weeded one of my flower beds. I carefully took out everything that I could see that would even remotely look like a weed. Weeds will take the nutrients that the flowers need and can choke out the plants that I want to grow. Knowing this I was diligent to watch for any new weeds that would begin and immediately take care of the little boogers.

That was until we went on vacation. We had a wonderful time in the sun and i never even thought about my flowers or weeding. Upon returning home I had a little surprise waiting for me. WEEDS! Not just a few! Hundreds it seems have popped up during the time I was gone. How is this possible? Undetected under the surface were weeds waiting for this distracted gardener to look away and poof they began to sprout and grow.I didn't get at the roots and so they just grew back!

Scripture says that sin is just like these weeds.

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. James 1:14-15

Sin undetected and unobserved will begin to steal and choke out the good things that God wants to produce in and through us.

Take some time to evaluate your own life.

• Am I harboring any bad feelings towards others?



• Are their hidden sins that I need to confess?



• Am I preoccupied or worried about something?



• Is there an area that I have taken back control of?



• Am I taking the glory, instead of giving it to God?



• Is their an area of disobedience to God's word?



• Have I allowed something or someone to take God's rightful place in my life?



• Is there unforgiveness in my heart?



• Am I giving faithfully of my resources and time?



• Am I abiding in Christ?

This list is just a beginning. Satan is trick and wants us all to be deceived. Ask God to show you your weeds and to dig out the roots that they might have in your life.

Father,

I confess to you that I too have fallen short of who you have called me to be. I have been distracted and not watchful. I ask you today to reveal to me the things that are not pleasing to you in my life. Show me the weeds that have crept in and are choking the good things that you want. I know that it may be painful and I desire for you to pull them out by the roots so that they will be gone. Thank you for promising that you will always be with me. I want to be a ReFlection of you.

Jann

Ouch, That hurt!

Image via Wikipedia

During vacation I spent time with my daughters. There is nothing like the three of us being together. We know each other so well. Sometimes that is a good thing and at other times it can be painful. All of us were going to a wedding and were excited for it to begin. The next sequence of events occurred and they were lets say, painful. I saw an old friend and screamed out her name as she came to give me a hug. Both of my daughters gave me the look and said "mom, you are too loud". I remember shushing them in church and other places, but for them to tell me to be quiet was another matter. Next as we were sitting in the congregation my daughter said, "do you pluck your eyebrows anymore"? Again, I have helped them through the years with their makeup and hair and I think I do a good job at keeping myself up to date. "Maybe there are some hairs that I missed". Last my other daughter asked, "where did you get those shoes"? It wasn't a complement, but I proudly told her payless.

Why does it hurt when people point out our flaws? Why do we point out other peoples weaknesses?

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Matthew 7:3-5

For some reason we do it to each other and especially to people we know very well. I have often pointed out things to my daughters and husband of how I think things should be done or ways in which they could improve. I never realized how hurtful some of my words could have been.

Father,

Thank you for using my own daughters to teach me to choose my words wisely and with kindness. Help me to look into my own life before I try to fix somebody else.

Jann