But hate having to be me! Do you get that? Let me start by tell you a little story: Over the past few weeks it seems like everything is breaking, little stuff mostly but it was really adding up. This started to really stress me out due to an number of things like: no time to fix stuff, no money to pay to have it fixed and really needing some of these things to work NOW. So I did what anyone else would do...I started fixing other peoples stuff! Yes, other people had stuff break also and I decided that because of my needs and frustrations that I really know how THEY felt, and the frustrations that they are having. Now my things are starting to get done little by little but my stress about them dropped! I am not worrying about a leaky roof (may be fixed) or the door knob that will not open (temp fix) or the dryer that isn’t drying (stuff will dry eventually on their own) and the $1200 air compressor not working ($14.00 fix). I am not worrying because in my giving of my time and talents, God has freed up some time AND some cash for me to fix my stuff. Now I don’t think a time tithe is in the Bible but over the past few weeks God has worked in my life through the giving of my time.
I do not tell you this to boast! I have nothing to boast about! Instead I tell you this to encourage you as the “busy season” approaches. In all of the hustle and bustle that is coming I ask you to slow down the selfish wagon and reach out to others that may be in need. Find the strength to hold fast to your commitments and to honor you vows. December is a time when we really could use a few extra hours in the day and a few extra dollars in the bank. Take this time to use your stress and worries to really help you understand your neighbors stress’ and worries and do something about it. Meet a need, lend a hand or give a dollar. That will be the best Christmas you can give!
Now why my opening statement of “Sometimes I love being me...But hate having to be me!”. Let me tell you: God has place me in situations that allows me to know some things about fixing stuff. I hate that because I would rather never have to get dirty, weld something, rewire, rebuild, build, and repair stuff. I sometimes would just rather have the means to go out an buy a new one. BUT I love it at the same time. There is no better feeling than fixing that thing that you were cursing the day before not to mention just knowing what to look for and how to fix it in the first place. The air compressor that I use to power tools and stuff in the garage stopped working on Monday night in the middle of fixing a friends car. After pulling it apart, testing a few things and googleing some other stuff, I figures what the offending part was and ordered it. So the next day for $14 I had my compressor up and running. That is a lot better that taking it to a repair shop and I don’t charge myself for labor! Same with cars, I would love a brand new car that I never have to work on but I also love being able to fix my clunkers.
Pray that this next car in my garage can be fixed on the cheap and that the repair is a success. I am having to pull the transmission out to find the worse leak ever. So far the car is being a bit stubborn.
So I will close with the same statement in reverse: Sometimes I hate having to be me...But love being me!
5 comments:
I appreciate all that you willingly do for others Claude. Thank you for using your talents to bless others. Thank you for using your gifts to be a godly teacher to my children. You may hate having to be you sometimes (I think we all feel that way about ourselves on occasion), but the Rice Family definitely loves you being you!
I appreciate you being you. Thank you for fixing Justin's car...again. He is so needy right now. Thanks for being a friend to him when we can't be there.
Cessie, I really haven't done anything to your car. I think we need an engine! If we find one, then I will put it in. As for the kids, They teach me!
I love you being you and for as long as God allows me to be me, I will always thank Him for giving you to me!
I love you and your sweet generous heart! I can learn ALOT from you! Thank you for teaching me how to NOT be selfish and to rely on God's grace and mercy! You are an awesome Godly husband and I am truly blessed! I love you!
Hey man, I wouldn't want you to be anyone else. Sounds like others agree. To me, you being you is what makes you so special to God and the rest of us. Maybe God made you the way you are to fill the void in the rest of us. Don't know, but we like it.
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