Sermon Central
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Here Is A Story From Amy In Miami Beach About ...
Contributed by Brian Harvison on May 29, 2008 (message contributor)
Here is a story from Amy in Miami Beach about anxiety and worry Dancing Potato Chips
Not long ago I had “one of those days. I had company arriving in a couple of days and the toilet was clogged. I went to the bank, and the “its my first day” teller processing my deposit had to start over three times. I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things and the lines were serpentine. By the time I got home, I was frazzled and sweaty and in a hurry to get something on the table for supper.
Deciding on mushroom soup, I grabbed a can opener, cranked open the can, then remembered I had forgotten milk at the store. Scratch the soup idea. Setting the can aside, I went to plan B, which was leftover baked beans. I grabbed a Tupperware from the fridge, popped the seal, took a look and groaned.
My husband is not a picky eater, but even he wont eat baked beans that look like caterpillars. Really frustrated by now, I decided on a menu that promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition free: hot dogs and potato chips.
Retrieving a brand new bag from the pantry, I grabbed the top and gave a hearty pull. The bag didn’t open. With a loud pop, the bag suddenly gave way ripping wide open from top to bottom. Chips flew sky high, I was left holding the bag, and it was empty. It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream. I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!
My husband heard my cry for help and was standing in the kitchen doorway within seconds. He surveyed the damage: an open can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one quivering wife standing ankle deep in chips. My husband did the most helpful thing he could think of at that moment. He took a flying leap, landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. He then began to stomp and dance and twirl, grinding those chips into the linoleum in the process. I stared, I fumed, pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile, eventually I laughed
Finally I decided to join him. I too took a leap into the chips then I danced. Now I’ll be the first to admit that my husband’s response wasn’t the one I was looking for. But the truth is it was exactly what I needed. I didn’t need a cleanup crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment and the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that
Has God ever stomped on your chips? There have been plenty of times when I’ve gotten myself into frustrating situations and I’ve cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up with a celestial broom and clean up the mess I’ve made of things
What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my prayer in a completely different manner than I had expected, but in the manner that is best for me after all. Do I trust Him? Even when He’s dancing and stomping instead of sweeping and mopping? Can I let His joy adjust my attitude? Am I going to stand on the sidelines and sulk, or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance He’s dancing with my needs in mind?
He really does know what He is doing. He loves you and you can trust Him. Even when the chips are down.
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