It probably started as a rebellion.
I realized that this tube of toothpaste was going to be used, and used, and used, and used, and,
you guessed it-
used!
....until I threw it away!
Honestly, it's like the empty roll on our toilet paper holder.......noone else has ever taken the time to read the manual on how a new roll of paper is added. I have watched an entire roll of toilet paper be used while sitting on top of the empty cardboard tube of the last roll and just been amazed that everyone else in my house thinks this is "normal!"
But that's a whole other story....
This tube of toothpaste has begun to fascinate me, really.
I still manage to squeeze out just enough to brush my teeth one more time....
And amazingly so does Tim (and who knows who else slips in our bathroom and does the same thing!)
Noone has complained yet about this tube's lack of resources. It's as if just enough toothpaste arrives to get us through another day!
And the more I look at this tube, the more I realize that in many ways this is how you live when you're grieving and really when you're simply trying to live for Christ during a difficult time in your life.
One "squeeze" at a time. Not really feeling stocked up on much of anything.
Actually feeling fairly empty. As if life has literally been squeezed right out of you.
But then, somehow, God in His amazing wisdom knows the secret to making our empty tube of toothpaste somehow still have worth.
Somehow still provide just enough strength to do what we need to do for one more day.
There's so many days when I would much rather pull the covers over my head and sleep my way through life.
But, oh, I am so thankful for a Father who tells me that He can provide the strength I need for one more day!!!
Eventually, I believe, that he will restore my "tube!" As if through a divine run to Wal-Mart, God will place a "new tube" of strength within me....and within Tim.
But for now, I have to keep on allowing God to squeeze daily just enough strength from me to keep me going!
And I'm trusting that He can and will.
WHY?
Because once again, I believe His Word is true!
I Peter 4
10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
And in my grief, I can think of no one more worthy of praise than my Lord Jesus Christ!! After all, it is becuase of His death that I have hope and am confident that Nick and Adrienne are not dead! They are more alive than I could ever imagine!
Oh, thank you, Jesus!
Oh, thank you, Jesus!
I Corinthians 15
12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
With the strength God has given me for today.....with yet another squeeze on my very pitiful "tube," I end my thoughts with a question Jesus asked Martha in John 11:26,
25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Believing!
4 Comments:
Tammy--thanks for your simple analogies of faith. God uses analogies around me--pictures of His faith--as I journey through my days, and I so enjoy it when you share yours with all of us. God bless--and praying for enough joy, peace, love and faith to triumph through your day, today!
Indeed, some days a bent up, throughly squeezed, all but empty tube of toothpaste is exactly how I feel.....but, I continue to remind myself...EMPTY is how I must be in order to be filled anew each morning. I guess that means the entire tube of paste has to be used every day!! Oh, goodness.
Great image lesson for me, Tammy. Have a beautiful Tuesday! Love ya, Jennifer
You always make me think! Thank you Tammy. Thank you for making me even think about an almost used up tube of toothpaste!! I love how you make your connections!! Thinking of you daily! Looking forward to tomorrow :)
Great, great, great analogy to the toothpaste tube to our walk. I know what you mean...I rejoice over making it through one day successfully and feeling I've accomplish something more than just surviving. It's beginning for me to be a point of guilt to not live more fully when I really just desire my comfy bed, sheets, blankies.
Don't tell, but I'm wondering if the users of your toothpaste are just making it be sufficient because to use the last bit of toothpaste would maybe mean to admit more must be replaced.
You know how in offices no one takes all of the last coffee...because that would mean they must make another pot. So, instead one could leave a tablespoon of coffee so as not to be the one to take it all.
That may me more analogy than you care to know but this was really good analogy. We are fortunate that God is our unlimited source of strength to replenish our spiritual tube. Praise Him!
Love ya, sweet one.
Paula
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