In this day and age, we rarely hear about how we should “be like someone else.” It is more common to hear that comparisons lead to nowhere good and nowhere productive; and that we are supposed to be individualistic and make our own unique way in this world. There is sage wisdom in both of these statements. And ultimately, God wants us to embrace and celebrate our unique design (rather than make comparisons; “be what we were made to be without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other” Romans 12:6 MSG and “each one should test their own actions… without comparing themselves to someone else” Galatians 6:4 NIV). And, we know that God longs for us to follow His way, His path, and His best for us rather than being swallowed up and swept along in the wake of our culture and this wayward world (“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 NIV). And there is more truth… sometimes He still uses others to teach us new things about ourselves and our ways; He teaches us how to do things with a new approach.
As I worked at my kitchen counter, I could hear Sophie making her rounds throughout the house. In the corner of my mind, I was following her path and making sure I knew she wasn’t getting into any mischief. I could mentally trace her movements and tell if things seemed normal or some trouble might be brewing. Parents out there… you know exactly what I’m talking about… right?!?
Then I heard it. The gentle pleasant humming changed to a more stunted staccato “hum, hm, hm, hm, hm, hum” {well… you get the idea}! I looked over and could see Sophie stuck under a chair doing her best to extricate herself from the confining quarters of four legs. To be honest, I wasn’t really surprised at all that she was under the chair. Oh… BTW… did I happen to mention that Sophie is my robotic vacuum?
Doing her thing… and minding her business… she now found herself in a tight squeeze. Have you ever been there?
A conversation that starts out casual is taken to a completely different place when a friend or coworker takes a sharp left turn into gossip territory.
Your workday ends up with one more urgent thing on your toppling pile of to-dos and overwhelm begins to set an anchor.
A smooth relationship with a child or spouse starts to feel pokey and sharp.
The attitude of discouragement or even self-pity (excessive focus on self and one’s own troubles) begins a loop replay in your head… in High Def, Dolby Digital, surround sound.
I watched Sophie slow down and make micro corrections over and over. She would move forward, slow to a crawl, sense the obstacle (or chair leg, as the case may be), reverse, micro-correct, and head in a slightly different direction. Then slow to a crawl, sense the obstacle, reverse, micro-correct, and head (yet again) in a slightly different direction… once again, you get the idea. She did this countless times as I watched in amusement with a bit of a smile on my face. Just as I was about to go over and free her… she made the final right adjustment, freed herself of her current entanglement and set off to finish her mission.
"Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us."
The great thing about Sophie is that she has been intentionally programmed correctly with a singular objective and purpose. For us humans, that is an entirely different matter all-together. We have a tangle of inadvertent programming that started when we felt that first dusting of baby powder and it continues on to this day. Our circumstances and experiences shape us and teach us how to react and respond, sometimes to our benefit and sometimes to our detriment. And then, well, there is that age-old issue of sin and human nature to further complicate matters.
As Sophie resumed her quest, I thought about how valuable it would be, to be more like Sofie! I thought about how many times I could benefit from a different program… from a new program (a new way of being and interacting)… from micro-course corrections in the midst of an interaction, conversation, or the challenges of my day. Remembering to:
Be patient, remain calm, and don’t take it personally. {The “chair legs” ;-) aren’t trying to frustrate me; they are just doing what “chair legs” do.}
Make an intentional (even micro) “course correction”. {Stay creative, positive, hopeful}.
Trust that your Creator has given you what you need to navigate the present challenge.
“Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you – your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted…” - 2 Peter 1:3-4 (MSG)
Candidly, there have been times when Sophie has needed an assist, and I have been there for her… mostly because I can see the bigger picture and she cannot in that moment… she is too stuck. In these times it is good to have the right people surrounding us, rooting for our success, able to see the bigger picture, and wanting our best; gently guiding us onto a clearer pathway. It is always good to gather “keepers” along this journey… those who help us stretch, grow, and become all that we have been designed for!
This week, keep an eye out for your Sophie moments - navigating your days with patience, calm, course corrections, and trust in your Creator.
Patti
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If you are feeling stuck between four legs, or four walls, or any number of anythings really… coaching is a beautiful dynamic conversation that can help you gain new perspectives and make much-needed micro-corrections so that you can be back about the business of what you were really designed for. We’d love to come alongside to help you cultivate your best life! Please reach out to us for a FREE Discovery Call!