Saturday, August 16, 2014

The Parable of the Parasite and the Backpack

These two little rascals that spend their daytime hours (and sometime nights too) sucking the life out of me are constantly teaching me new lessons. Lately it has been through late night poop parties and backpacks. I know, that is way TMI, but bear with me I am going somewhere with this. Parson has had a nasty parasite, cryptosporidium, that we just can't get rid of. For two months she (we) have struggled and it hasn't been pretty. I have washed my hands 1000 times each day, washed one million loads of laundry and bleached everything in sight. Dr. Bocchini, Parson's new infectious disease doc said it best today. "We must attack this aggressively with multiple agents (especially since it is a nasty parasite)." Friends, it hit me like a ton of bricks...  I'm letting my attitude be attacked daily by nasty parasites and circumstances. It is not giving me diarrhea in the literal sense - but more like what my old PE coach used to call "diarrhea of the mouth". You know the "I cants". The "I don't wanna's".  The "can't I trade places with her for just a day. She has got a sweet life". The "life will never be normal again".  All those pesky little thoughts of inadequacy and stinking thinking. 

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think on these things.." -  Philippians 4:8

It is so easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others and before we know it, it has spread throughout our life and taken over the place where good and noble once lived. I recently heard this practice described as "pretty people problems".  There is even a Facebook page dedicated to random everyday problems that attractive people have. Most often brought about by over abundance, wealth, name brands, commercialism and in general trying to "keep up with the Joneses".  

I'm am SO guilty. I took Darby to Justice and let her pick out a new backpack for school. (Never mind that her backpacks from the last 3 school years are perfectly fine.) Out of pure guilt,  I am now toting a handmedown "Darby" monogrammed backpack for Parson's diaper bag. Pretty people problems. 

School is about to start and we as a human race are all gonna have the "don't wanna's". I don't wanna get up. I don't wanna wear that. I don't want another sandwich for lunch. I don't wanna cook supper again. I don't wanna go grocery shopping again. I don't wanna bathe the kids again. (Doesn't swimming count as a bath?) I don't wanna wash my hands one more time. (Reckon they will dry up and fall off as a result of good hand washing?) I don't wanna fight with my kid to eat something healthy, anything healthy. Guilty again. Lord help me, the only vegetable my 7 year old claims to like is candy corn- (that is a whole nother blog for a whole nother day.) 

"The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it more abundant." - John 10:10 

Forget what everybody else is doing. Go on a FB fast. Forget about those darned dead plants that you forgot to water - (no amount of water will bring 'em back now honey.) Get over the pretty people problems. The other folks vacation is always gonna be better than yours (especially when you haven't even been on one in years).  Their house is always gonna be bigger/prettier/have more storage & closet space. They are always gonna have great hair days and flawless skin. So, forget about the stretch marks and sleepless nights. Quit comparing yourself to everybody else. 

He came that you may have an ABUNDANT life!  He did not come for us to live a mediocre, so-so, unsanitized kind of life that I have been wandering around in. MORE abundant - in terms of joy, peace and people - not another backpack full of over indulgence. The pretty people problems are spreading like a bad parasite and robbing us of our JOY.  Sanitize yourself!  

So turn up the Lionel Richie. Sing some of your favorite hymns. Put your hair up in a ponytail. Go play outside with your kids. Fill up the tub for a good soak. Go barefoot. Get on the riding lawn mower and turn on the "good music for a good day" playlist. Sit under the shade of a magnolia tree.  Watch a sunrise. Watch a sunset. Better yet - watch both in one day. Go on a date with your main squeeze and get the drink with a little umbrella (pretend its a vacation). Turn up your favorite jam and have a dance party in the car. Call your BFF.  Read your Bible. Have a good cry. Say cryptosporidium 3 times real fast (it'll make you feel like a superhero). And for goodness sakes, let the kids skip a bath tonight. (Mammaw said it'll wear out their skin anyhow.)

Do yourself a favor. Wash your hands. Say your prayers. Quit listening to the devil. Stop the stinking thinking. Quit taking yourself so serious. Use some sanitizer on your life. Get rid of the diarrhea of the mouth. Attack it aggressively. Enough comparing yourself to others. God has richly blessed you and me. Think on these things. We have got it good-- the ABUNDANT life awaits.