March 29, 2024

Quick Fixes

This past weekend was tiring – fun, but tiring. Sunday evening I had come home from going to two stores to pick up our Thanksgiving turkeys. When I got home I had planned on doing a few chores then relaxing a little before bed. Well, I got all the way home, headed to the “ladies room” and discovered we were running of toilet paper. So of course, I headed back out to the store for a third time.

While at the grocery store I found myself perusing the aisles to find what else I could buy or what treat I would like. After all I’ve had a long weekend and could use a treat, right? Anyway, I suddenly realized I wasn’t even hungry. My belly was still full from dinner. Don’t laugh – I know I’m not the only one whose been there. Now I’ve realized at that point, what I really wanted was something to soothe my weariness. I was exhausted, I didn’t even want to go home and clean. The only reason I was searching the aisles was to find something that would make me feel good for a moment. So, to my surprise, I left the grocery store with ONLY my six pack of toilet paper. Yeah for this time, anyway.

During that simple moment, God showed me that there a lot of times I look for my “quick fix”. Everyone’s fix might be something different, but it’s still trying to cover up a need; sweets are number one for me. At other times or for others it could be spending money on something – anything that you can think of. Or for some it may be a juicy novel or a not-so-good relationship. We keep turning to those things over and over again with the same results – a temporary, quick fix.

If we pause for a moment, we will learn that whatever that quick fix is, we don’t really want it or need it. What we need is something that will fill us even more – rest and rejuvenation. That may be physical rest to begin with, but you could probably by-pass that and go straight to our Father who knows best. The one who cares for you more than anyone else. The only reason we don’t go to Him is because we don’t truly believe His love is real. We’ve heard and read that God loves us, but do we really believe? If we spend time in prayer, read and study His word, and worship Him, then we will learn His word to be true. Here is a verse that is not only helpful during this time, but also for those times we are dealing with difficult circumstances.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

And before you know it, you’ll feel invigorated and focused on what you are set out to do. You will have gained more knowledge and direction from His word. You will feel lighter because you’ve laid all your burdens upon Him and you’ll discover His power and might by praising Him through worship. You’ll also discover that you didn’t even miss those Krispy Kreme.:)