Last week I mentioned a de-cluttering project that produced an unexpected journey down memory lane. This week progressed into unintended-consequences-steal-peace territory.
Things in life don’t always turn out the way I plan. Scenarios in my mind somehow miss all the little details of real life. For example, when I rearranged stuff in our tiny galley kitchen, I inadvertently disrupted the morning coffee routine. Not a big deal? You don’t know how I feel about coffee!
Here is the set-up: our dog, a Chihuahua and Pug mix, likes his breakfast first thing and twirls in circles until we fill his bowl. I neglected to consider this activity when I stored his food container in the cabinet below the coffee pot. Now I have to dodge a twirling fur ball while sleepily awaiting my hug in a mug.
This is one minor example of how choices interrupt things. Story of my life. For you too? We make spontaneous decisions, and rarely stop to consider all the ways these decisions can change our lives.
Unintended Consequences Steal Peace
However, if we slow down, we can protect our peace by thinking things through. Some things, like a twirling pup, are easy adjustments. Others, like a wrong word spoken at the wrong time, and with the wrong tone of voice, can take years to deal with. Sure, God loves us and wants the best for us, but we still have to face the consequences of our decisions. Take a breath, say a prayer, then decide. Bob Ross used to say, “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” Hopefully, most of our consequences will just be annoying, but remember, God is always there with love and grace.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4:16
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