Just grab the big sticks!

Written March 21, 2010

For those of you who may not know, I have been diagnosed with Meniere's disease. It is a pesky little challenge that, among other things can cause dizziness, loss of balance and head spinning with the slightest wrong move or irritation. I have just had a recent bout that kept me in bed most hours of the day for nearly a week. Today was better. I noticed the sun was shining and it seemed warm outside so I decided to venture outside and do something productive. I was right. It was a beautiful day!
I decided I wanted to pick up the sticks in the yard, but was a bit apprehensive since it requires lots of bending up and down and I wasn't sure how much I'd be able to accomplish. But a little is better than nothing, right? So I headed to the nearest set of trees.
As I started, I grabbed the first sticks I saw. I picked up one and then another and another and realized this was going to be a bigger job than I first anticipated. How would I ever finish? I had to be careful and not move too fast so I wouldn't lose my balance and tumble to the ground. I really wasn't worried about getting hurt by falling, I just didn't want the neighbors to think I was a klutz lol
As I worked, God began to teach me as He often does when I'm working in the yard. He was prodding me along. "Just go after the big sticks" so I would, but I would always grab a few small ones along the way. After getting the biggest sticks, I focused on the medium sized, always grabbing the small sticks & twigs along the way. Each bend up and down left my balance a little more unstable then the one before. But, in time I finished the job and the lawn looked clean & fresh. I carried my bundle to the garage and took a break.
Next, I decided to see if the flower bulbs were coming up on the south side of the house and discovered more sticks under another set of trees. Oy! Did I really want to do anymore. I heard it again "Just pick up the big sticks" Ok, I can do that. The same scene played out. I went after the big sticks, but always grabbed a few small ones along the way. Then of course I reasoned, I can always do one more or two more, or this one or that one.
When I finally realized I had had enough, I decided it was time to stop. I hadn't gotten every last twig, but as I walked away, I heard these words. "You got the big sticks, the important sticks and the ones you left don't really matter that much anyway"
So, the next time you have a job to do, that you think is too much for you to handle. Just get started. Go after the big sticks. You'll grab lots of little ones along the way. And the ones you miss don't really matter much anyway.
And of course...Remember God is with you! He will encourage you every step of the way. And He will give you more strength and ability than you thought you had.
God Loves You!