Gratitude Journal – Day 70 – September 8, 2014

Pedal stuck?
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The morning sunshine poured through the bedroom window, waking me to yet another glorious day. As I hurried to get ready for church, I could hear myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope saying to me I’ll be waiting in the car…. His pet peeve was being late, and there were times that I cut it right down to the wire. Oh what it would be like not to have to primp and such as we women feel the need to do.

Finding the perfect pair of sandals to wear, I rushed out of the door, slid behind the wheel and put the car in reverse. At the first stop sign, I moved my foot to the brake a little clumsily, then the second stop sign, and then a stop light….. Why was it so challenging to go from moving forward to stopping? I thought for a moment that the mat had moved and was in my way. Not wanting to risk my pedal being stuck and not being able to stop, I took my sandals off and drove in my bare feet. I noted that there was nothing wrong with the mat, except the piece of Good n’ Plenty that I dropped yesterday. (Note to self: clean out car…)

OK, so now I’m officially late as I find the perfect pull thru parking spot at the church. Quick Sheri, put your sandals back on I say to myself. And then I see it, a huge piece of gum stuck to the back side (not the bottom) of the right heel. Have you ever heard that when you interview for a job, you should always make sure that the back of your shoes look as good as the front? It’s important to leave a great last impression, as well as the first as you meet your perspective boss. Ugh! I pull as much of the gum off as I can, but regardless a bit of the residue remains. I make my way into church, and join the worship service a few minutes in.

Pastor Ron delivers yet another outstanding message, teaching and inspiring us to take the Challenge not to just do the obligatory church thing, but to ‘Do the Word’ by showing kindness and sharing God’s love with others. And when we are weak, we must call upon the name of the Lord who has already paid the price for us.
And I think back to the gum on my heel – how did it get there? What does it represent? Is it the minutia that the world adds to our life if we let it? Those things that make us stumble and struggle to stop or go when we know that we should? And sometimes the minutia is hard to remove as it’s sticky and leaves residue – but none the less we must remove it so that we can move forward without that stumbling block.

And as I am writing this, I look over on the table and see a print titled Mermaid Shower (http://www.manamiart.com/) that I just purchased last weekend. I am filled with gratitude that myDarlin’ understood and lived what this painting represents without ever having seen it. Trust in the Lord as you look to the Heavens and He will shower you with His gifts of grace, kindness, peace and understanding. This dear Ohana is what we all saw in Robert – the spirit of Aloha authored by none other than our Lord. 

#KeepLookingUp #GodsGrace