Like most, I am a creature of habit. I walk every afternoon and follow strict patterns. Monday through Friday, I use a certain neighborhood course with about six variations of the same route. Saturday, I walk in a completely different section of the surrounding streets. Sunday, I follow a third separate layout. There is no particular reason for these patterns; they have just evolved over my years in Houston and I would feel like I was cheating if I strayed from the routine. Two weeks ago, I saw a strange sight as I made my way through my Sunday circuit. Apparently, Monday is heavy trash pickup day in this part of town. (My apartment has its own trash schedule.) There, in front of a house, on the sidewalk that leads down to the curb, was a toilet. I guess they must have been redecorating and this one had to go. That wasn't the really bizarre part. What took me back was that the toilet was filled with colored water to the proper level, just like it was still in the bathroom. I love it when, after flushing, the bowl is refilled with that blue tinted, deodorizing and stain fighting water! It was just extremely odd to see it residing curbside in a very nice Houston subdivision! It did look very lonely. There was not the prerequisite magazine rack or framed crocheted cute saying to keep it company.
I really don't know what to think about the whole incident. Maybe the toilet was stained below the water line and the good folks who lived there were sparing the neighbors from the vision. Perhaps the neighborhood association has guidelines for disposing of toilets and they were meeting the standard. I might be judging but it almost seemed that they were trying to keep up appearances. You know, like "We do have a toilet in our front yard. Isn't it immaculate?" Many of us are experts in that arena in our personal lives. We act like everything is normal when our world is caving in. It might even be obvious to our friends and neighbors but we can't let down our facade. We're destined to carry those burdens until we admit they exist. The scriptures offer solutions. We don't have to do it all ourselves!
"Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2
"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens."
Psalm 68:19
Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:7 to, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
It's hard to cast our burdens on Jesus when we hold them close to our heart. But, what a blessing when we can finally let go enough to trust the Lord and each other for relief and comfort! There is good news on the toilet scene: it has been removed, blue water and all! I'm sure the neighbors are ecstatic.
Applicable quote of the day:
"Peace of mind is attained, not by ignoring problems, but by solving them."
Raymond Hull
God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
www.hawleybooks.com
E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com
1 comment:
Did you sit on it?
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