Day Eight
Versatile - Judicious
Proverbs 31:16...She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard...
What mother hasn't learned to be versatile and judicious; capable of doing many things at one time, while needing sound judgment? In my school days, about 3rd or 4th grade, I would watch different girls who wore glasses. One would take off her glasses and twirl them in her fingers; another would chew on the ends while listening to the teacher. I thought they looked studious and desired that studious look too. God knows that my grades did not reflect being 'studious'.
One day, during recess, I went back to the classroom and one of the girls had left her glasses lay on her desk. At the time, I had this special, rectangle shaped, red tin box. I took the girl's glasses and put them in my red box. Then I went into the bathroom and tried them on, thinking how wonderful I looked in glasses. The funny thing was, this girl was more petite than I, and the glasses were a bit snug. But to me, they fit beautifully and gave me that 'studious' look I was trying to achieve. Later that day, I wrote a note that said, "Dear Mrs. Campbell, your daughter Patti needs glasses", as well as adding my full name, address and phone number. I cannot remember if I tried to sign the eye doctor's name or not.
When I got home that day, I went through the actions of putting the red box into our mailbox and then taking it out, acting surprised. There was no one outside but me, so I have no idea who was supposed to have seen the surprised look. Then I took the red box in the house and showed my Mother. She was in the kitchen preparing dinner for a family of 8. I'm sure she had many other things on her mind, like juggling everyone's needs, as well as working a job outside the home. Mom opened the red box and saw the glasses and the note. She asked me where they came from and I proceeded to tell her about finding them in the mailbox. After reading the note, she asked me to get a piece of paper and a pencil and write our phone number down. Then she commented on how close the numbers on the note looked like the numbers I had just written. Catching on, I cried out, "Mom, you can't think I stole these?" She never came right out and accused me of stealing the glasses, but all the while prodded me with questions. I told her it was possible that a boy in my class who passed by our house on his way home could have put them in there, even giving his name. Mom said, "Well, these are clearly not your glasses and you should take them to the principal's office tomorrow morning." So I did.
A few days later, all the children were at morning Mass and that little girl was kneeling in front of me. She had her glasses on. I leaned forward and tapped her on the shoulder and said, "Can you believe it? Someone put them in our mailbox?" Excuse me, but was anyone noticing the Academy Award theatrics going on? As time went by, I am sure that I went to confession and confessed this sin to the priest, minus the details.
How much more is the Father versatile and judicious with us; the Father, Who is the definition of Grace and Mercy? Does He not understand? As humans, we have so many 'idiosyncrasies', so to speak. We can justify just about anything that we do, even trying to wrap the Word of God around what we are doing to make it appear religious or acceptable, much like hiding something in a little red box. And the Father sees right through our plans and, at times, delusions. He even understands why we do it in the first place - through insecurities, fears, or habits. The Apostle Paul so aptly puts it...For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out...For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing...What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:18b-19; 24-25, New International Version). Praise be to God, we have an advocate with the Father - through Jesus Christ our Lord!
God knows our frailties; He knows that we struggle in our flesh. However, He has given us everything we need to stand strong...For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin, no matter how it comes or where it leads) has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently (1 Corinthians 10:13).
You know, it is impossible to hide anything from God. Oftentimes, we take our little red box, and we try to hide from God...jealousy...unforgiveness...religiosity...fears...insecurities...lust...or fleshly habits, just to name a few. But who have we fooled? Only ourselves. We have a Father Who is Versatile and Judicious; He is Faithful and True. And if we will open our hearts and allow Him to expose what we have tried to hide, even from ourselves, He will surely cleanse us.
So, what's in your little red box?
1 John 1:9...If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought and action].
A hearts' cry...Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts...And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting...(Psalm 139:23-24).