Being a Faithful Servant

"He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." Proverbs 10:4

I watched as copious amounts of wet, gray cement sludged it's way down a trough that was attached to a really large truck sitting in our side yard in Birmingham. We had just gotten a pool and mama and daddy decided to DIY the concrete pad around it, so daddy had made a pattern of squares from two by fours giving the cement a place to be poured. Now the truck was unable to drive down near the pool area because the yard was too steep, thus having to carry it down one small load at a time being the only option.

A young man from our church volunteered to help them on this day (there to impress Tammy, no doubt) but had no idea the all encompassing job that he was getting himself into. (I could have saved him the trouble and let him know just what a bossy big sister she was and who needed that in their life, am I right?) But that has nothing to do with this.

You see, once the cement began to flow someone had to be there with a wheelbarrow to catch it or it would splatter to the ground, so there they were, the three of them each armed with wheelbarrow and shovel in hand, ready to get the job done.(five more really strong men armed with wheelbarrows and shovels would have been nice, can I get an amen, Mama and Daddy?)

My ten year old self wanted to help so badly (or at least make my hand prints in the wet mortar). Sonya and I were given strict orders to sit on the rock wall that circled the pool area and to stay out of the way. As I watched the three of them work tirelessly I learned a few things. As one filled up his cart and took off down the hill another had to be ready to catch the next load, but as one square filled, daddy would have to rake and smooth the cement before it started to dry, which then left only two to carry the loads. There was no time for a break. You couldn't decide you were tired or hungry or for goodness sake needed to relieve yourself...there was just no time for that.

The struggle was real but they endured to the end. They never lost hope or acted as if they wanted to give up. Until every last drop was poured out they did not stop. They were heroes in my eyes. They wear scars (I call them badges) still to this day. The wet cement ate away at the skin of their ankles and knees and hands.

Having diligence is something we must choose over and over again. To be a diligent person we must be prepared and ready to work at it. It is a process that has to be steadily maintained, and when we mess up we have to shake it off and start again.

If we take a look at where we are now and where we want to be we can then work toward our goal by mindfully making one good choice at a time. As a Christian, we must have a plan, we must be rested and willing to disconnect so that we can be fully present during our quiet time.

When I start my day with my Bible reading and prayer time everything else falls into place. Even though the day may not go smoothly, I am able to better handle what might come my way and face it head on with a more positive mindset.

"But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46)

I want to strive to build my house on the Rock. God gives us what we need, when we need it. He sees what's coming even when we don't. I know when there are days I've missed my time with the Lord I quickly realize something is just not right.

Line up your day with the Lord first and He will arrange the rest of your day. He will set your mind at ease and give you a peace to follow through with your day. Be a diligent follower.

I love you & He loves you more!

Lord, Forgive me during times of slack, help me to be diligent in my time with You. I know that You set my mind at ease and everything has perspective when I put You first in my day, my life. Help me be an obedient servant. In Jesus' name. Amen.

P.S. Please pray for my dear friend Bill. He had a fall at home yesterday and is in the hospital. Thank you.

(Bill, when you read this please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you.)