Lessons From A Mustard Stained Shirt

It never fails that when I sit down to eat, I make a mess.  It will end up on my shirt, pants, shoes (yes, I said my shoes because you never know!), and smeared on my face.  Hey, maybe even in my hair!  Sounds so graceful, huh? That’s me full of grace on the inside but not on the outside.  I will meticulously plan my steps so that I do not stumble when I am walking.  If I get ahead of myself without caution, there is bound to be an accident.

Like today when I spilled mustard on my shirt.  I hurriedly wiped the mustard off of my shirt causing it to smear into a bigger mess that needed detailed attention to be cleaned and removed from the fabric.  As I told my friend Valerie about the mess I just created, together we were able to talk out the way this mustard stain could be a positive analogy.  This, my friend, is why it is so so so good to surround yourself with God-fearing Christian friends that project you forward by being encouraging and supporting you to be your best self!

Back to the mustard mess so I can get to the good news about this fresh stain!  I could have cursed the day, let this mustard stain ruin my day, and take away from the joy of enjoying the day God has given me.  I could have been mad all day about this glob of mustard that has ruined my shirt.  Although there was an event that happened that was less than desirable, it happened and there is not one single thing  I can do to change the fact that I am wearing (and smelling) mustard on my shirt.  Until I can soak my shirt in oxy clean, it is stained and it is smelly.

Why not move on to the next best option? It is better than ruining your day, wouldn’t you agree? Perhaps in your quirky accidents, circumstances, and trials, there is something to learn, something that is almost buried under the surface.  Even though it may be right in front of your eyes, you are blinded by your fleshly eyes and are not looking with your spiritual eyes.  There is something good in every day, in every trial, and every accident – quirky or not.

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Often times we find ourselves running ahead of God, hastily making decisions based on emotions and our current circumstances.  Decisions based on quick impulse especially without the guidance of the Holy Spirit can lead to a mess.  You may find yourself trying to scrub the mess with all your might but you realize the stain is spreading.  The mess is bigger than you anticipated. You find yourself wondering, “How did I get in this mess and how will I get out?”  A mess that started because you hastily ran ahead of God and decided to act on the now of your emotions and feelings regarding the circumstance.  The only lifeline you have out of this tangled mess is Jesus.  He died for your sins and for your tangled mess that cannot be untangled by human hands.  It’s a call for your complete surrender to Him.

 

Lessons Learned From The Holler:

• Attitudes can make your day or ruin your day. It’s your CHOICE!
• Perspective can change your outlook on any situation. Look for the good!
• Don’t let circumstances get the best of your emotions.
• Good spirit-filled friends are crucial to your continued growth.
• Stay close to God so that He can set your paths straight.
• Whatever your tangled mess, Jesus can untangle it for HIS and YOUR ultimate good for a greater purpose than you could ever imagine!
• Ultimately, Jesus can wash our stains as white as snow.  He will wash them as white as snow – if you choose Him!

Oh! And! God’s grace is SUFFICIENT for you!

 

Thank God for mustard stained shirts.

Take that devil. You can’t ruin my day!

My eyes are on Jesus. Where are yours?

John 10:10 | The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

 

Proverbs 17:22 | A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

 

Proverbs 3: 5-6 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

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Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash