Please Don't Be a Henry

"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."   ---Romans 12:11

"What God is looking for is faith."  --- Kim Clement

******

So while in the 2nd grade, our teacher taught us the song, "There's a Hole In The Bucket." Remember that one? Here are a few of the lyrics:

There's a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza,
There's a hole in the bucket, dear Liza,
There's a hole.

Then fix it dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
Then fix it dear Henry, dear Henry, fix it.

With what should I fix it, dear Liza, dear Liza,
With what should I fix it, dear Liza, with what?

With a straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
With a straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, with a straw.

But the straw is too long, dear Liza, dear Liza,
The straw is too long, dear Liza, too long.

Then cut it dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
Then cut it dear Henry, dear Henry, cut it!

With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, dear Liza,
With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, with what?

With an ax, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
With an ax, dear Henry, an ax.

But the ax is too dull, dear Liza, dear Liza,
The ax is too dull, dear Liza, too dull.

Then, sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
Then sharpen it dear Henry, dear Henry, sharpen it!

My family moved that year and yet while playing outside, I sang that song under my breath. What I recall thinking? "Henry was a Goofus*. Couldn't fix things by himself. He bothers me."

シ

Fast-forward to 2020 and weirdly, that song returned to my mind. 

Christians around me floundered, were filled with faith on Sundays, but felt helpless on Mondays and Tuesdays, then guilty about their lack of faith on Wednesdays and Thursdays, they hid on Fridays and Saturdays then pulled themselves together on Sundays. You know, figuratively.

But, uhm, biblical faith doesn't resemble fear, guilt or doubt. Whatever happened to:

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." --Proverbs 4:23 , hmm?

Jesus came to give us abundant life and today may we each actively seek God's always-available peace of mind and heart.

May we passionately desire (and go after) what fixes us.

 And during 2021? May we long for God's ways of thinking to become our own, for really, none of us need a Liza to tell us every single step we should take.

So if currently you're living sprawled all over the Doubt Board of Life-- "then fix it, dear Henry, fix it!"  シ

"Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God."   ---Revelation 3:2

Choose passion, not apathy. Never lose your passion for serving God!

* Remember Goofus and Gallant in the Highlights magazine we'd read in doctor's offices? Loved those guys.  

******

Here are bits of what I did in 2020 to keep my faith, peace of mind and passion so I could avoid those ditches beside the road we all know about:

Sought to know God better, to hear Him more clearly.

Avoided mainstream news. Found other more balanced sources.

Shared verses, warnings, money, etc. when God said, "Share."

Listened to tons of favorite retro music.

Prayed a lot.

Discovered (joyfully) folks online who heard from God the same things I did. My favorite part of 2020; finding such wonderful company!

Read lots of wonderful new-to-me books.

Daily made gratitude lists in my head. Counted blessings, not things-gone-wrong.

Encouraged the floundering ones through social media and also those on the front lines of 2020's battles.

Watched Tim Janus' gorgeous nature/music videos, especially on grey days.

Supported local businesses.

Kept my heart and cross lights lit in my windows. Absorbed sunshine upon my face there, also. Burned candles. 

Made repairs to the annoying things around my house.

And with all my heart, fought self-pity, fear, apathy and doubt. Kicked them far away the second I recognized they'd come to haunt me.

Oh, and what also got me through 2020 with happiness and sanity? Barbeque potato chips and lots of popsicles.  ツ

******

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."   ---James 1:12

Perseverance--steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15