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I would never even guessed that something as silly as a little note that I stumbled upon several years ago, written by my mother, would leave such an impression on my heart. I marvel at the way it's creative humor makes me laugh, but more importantly it's profound reminder to me of the Lord's presence and help. Let me share the short note which was written for her maintenance man in her healthier, pre-Alzheimer's years . Please allow yourself to pretend you are reading the note she posted on the back door as you approach her home to repair her washer.
ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK
I am reorganizing (The last sentence is serious)
Please beware of killer dog (she sneak's up and bites on the seat of one's jeans.)
Beware of vacuum cleaners. If there is a slight breeze of "one" walking by they all turn on automatically and all three will follow you where ever you go
(To get away safely, knock on the front door LOUDLY 5 times and 7 times SOFTLY and if you are one of the lucky ones you will escape safely)
One last thing: BEWARE of crippling coat hangers
Remember I am reorganizing and everything is in the sort stage.
(** OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS HELPING ME AND ISN'T FINISHED WITH ME YET)
Who would anticipate such a note, with all its warnings? So, would you enter the home? What thoughts might enter your mind? You don't know this lady. Crazy? Killer dog? Crippling coat hangers? Hmmmm. Of course I know her very well! When we asked my mother about the note she simply explained it was for her repairman -whom she knew very well. It was her comical way of saying come on in, but "forgive my mess". She always struggled with organization and housekeeping. She was a busy, active lady whom lived in a tiny little house and had a lot of STUFF, so she was in a constant state of sorting. She never seemed to completely finish. I still would have loved to see the look on the repairman's face when he first read the note- I couldn't stop the cartoon like visions of the killer dog, three vacuum's chasing this man, and the crippling coat hangers strewn about. I had seen some of her messes and believe me, she did have tons of coat hangers, and three vacuums, and a little dog that was anything but a killer dog! For the sake of laughter I made copies of the note and hung one in my office at work. I placed the note in varied spots over time and would find it and fax it to my sister at work to make her laugh again - we needed the comedy, especially as we watched my mom's mind decline to Alzheimer's. But I will tell you that as much as I laughed, I always stopped and pondered so often the last serious sentence - Our heavenly Father is helping me and isn't finished with me yet. God has been so faithful over the years as I've grown through challenges, studied the scriptures and grown closer to Him. He continues to be faithful to teach me through the Holy Spirit that he isn't finished with me yet either. Don't we all constantly need the reminder that we are desperate for Him and that He isn't finished with us so that we don't grow complacent? Although my house never quite looked like my mom's did, my heart sure did until I slowly started allowing the Lord to help me change. Jesus doesn't need our warning signs- He's aware of everything in our hearts. And just like the maintenance man that knew my mom very well and went in despite the mess to fix what was broken inside, Jesus desires to come and to dwell in hearts that invite him wholeheartedly by simply saying please come in Lord, fix me and forgive my mess. All the things I envisioned as cartoon clips from this note made me take an inward look and reminded me of spiritual things and truths. The killer dog represented sin to me - sin is death and separates us from God. Those vacuum cleaners, those could have been any kind of idols that I wasn't even aware of that were slowly sucking the life from me. The Bible is full of warnings to help us name those! The crippling coat hangers were all the things I was afraid of that kept me from taking the steps to being all that God wanted me to be - hurts, loss, and failures. I think about the knocking loudly and softly in the note as things we think and try to do in our own strength to fix ourselves and they fail. Only Jesus can rescue us and lead us from sin, and He doesn't do it for the lucky ones- like in the note, He's for all! I thank the Lord for the beautiful way He used a silly little note to minister often to my heart. So profound and personal that in memory of my mother, Dolores "Milda" Ward, I wrote a silly little story entitled "Messy Milda" about this note and to promote Jesus to our future family generations. I give all the glory and honor to the Lord for the finished product and know that He will continue to draw hearts to Himself. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS HELPING ME AND ISN'T FINISHED WITH ME YET!!!
To Ponder:
Is there someone in your life that the Lord may be asking you to walk beside? Are you willing to put aside their "messy" situations and be Jesus to them?
Do you have something today in your life that you would say, Lord Jesus, I need a rescue? Draw near in confidence to the throne of grace.
Scriptures:
Psalm 139: 23 - 24 NIV
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
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