Making a Difference

I just came in from outside where I was digging the foundation for a new sidewalk I want.  It’s true that most women are indoors cooking dinner, but I prefer to be doing the groundbreaking work of improvement. I predictably choose the task that is more exciting over the everyday tasks.  I want to do whatever is going to get me the most bang for my labor.

I love to paint.  Nothing makes as big a difference in a room as a coat of paint, and I think that is why I love it.  Dusting, though easier than painting, is not my idea of a good way to spend my time.  If I dust or if I don’t, who will notice?  But painting!  Even MY husband notices when the yellow living room goes red.  And that’s what I’m after...a noticeable difference.

As I was working outside on the sidewalk, and thinking about these tendencies in my life, I began to look a little deeper.  On the surface, this looks like a problem.  Hope wants to do the glory jobs, but leaves the mundane ones undone.  She only wants to do the work that will produce a big change or improvement.  Sure, I need to work on that.  Mundane jobs need to be done as well as the exciting ones.  And I need to be willing to work on tasks where there will be no noticeable difference whatsoever.  But in all of my self-loathing for neglect of simple duties, I don’t want to miss the beauty of how God made me who I am.  I need to find a balance.  God made me a person who loves to see improvement.  What did He do that for?   Is there any way He would like to use it for good?

So I start thinking. Difference...difference.  What does the Bible say about making a difference?  And then it came to me... “and of some having compassion, making a difference.”  

Whew...hard one.  I should try that.  But painting is easier.

God help me to see where I can be more compassionate and help me to do it.  help me remember that you were compassionate to me first.