I woke early, just after three with thoughts clamoring loud for attention. When the coffee was ready I made my way out to the screen porch to have my quiet time. I think sometimes when God wants to talk to me, He coaxes me out of bed extra early. Five animals followed me to the porch, four pups and Reba-the-Cat. As we settled in under blankets, they fell asleep and I sipped coffee and listened for Him.
“Thank you that you have everything under your control…”, I’m whispering my prayers when a tiny creature moves quick around the edge of the room towards that hole in the screen.
I’ve seen him before, this tiny thing, on another too-early morning. But that time he ran so fast toward his exit that I couldn’t be certain if he was a chipmunk or a mouse. That time I mildly freaked out and my sleepy pack of animals all jumped up and ran towards him.
Not this time though.
This time he scurried, but not entirely frantic-
This time the pups lifted their heads to see, but never even got up-
This time Reba-the-Cat stood and watched him disappear through the hole in the screen before folding her legs back underneath her and settling down.
“Sorry to bother you”, I told him as he made his exit.
Isn’t it strange that we’re almost accustomed to the little vermin, I thought. Leaning back into my comfy chair I heard:
What thoughts and habits barely make you look twice anymore?
The question came quiet in my head but rang loud in my heart.
What is it in you that comes through the hole in the screen?
It was one of those God-Moments so I grabbed my journal and began making a list of things that are unwelcome but that I’ve become accustomed to…
~worry
~stress eating
~not exercising
~living on the computer
Those were some of the unwelcome vermin that are so familiar they seem like they belong in my life. I think the hole in the ‘screen’ comes from neglect. Neglecting to pray. Neglecting to read my Bible. Neglecting to worship with a group of people. It’s not that we have to do those things to be accepted or to be loved, but to neglect those things means there will be consequences, holes in the screen so to speak. And something unwanted will probably find it’s way in.
Father, help me to fix the hole in the screen…
Has there ever been a season in your life when you realized you were allowing unwelcome things to be the “norm”?
Sending love sweet friends
xo
Hi Robin
What a beautiful post this morning, and your words will make me think through the day today. Enjoy your day, its a bit chilly here this morning but so refreshing
deezie
Deezie, thank you friend- I hope you had a wonderful weekend xo
Hi Robin. You did a wonderful job of verbalizing so many of the things that God has laid on my heart in recent days. Thank you for this lovely post. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Suzy, thank you for telling me that you’ve been on a bit of the same path, it always feels comforting to know that other women understand-sending love my friend xo
LOVE this post! Thanks for sharing. Will remember the hole in the screen analogy for a long time to come.
Adrienne, thank you for taking time to tell my my friend. xo
Perfect timing. I’ve been praying for God to show me things that are keeping me from being what I need to be for Him. This was a great analogy this morning. Those little things that just creep in unaware. I will be looking for them today. Thanks Robin.
Felicia, God is so sweet to answer our prayers when our heart’s desire is to hear Him. I pray he continues the work He started in you friend xo
Wonderful words of wisdom. I love reading your writings. Praying that you will have success in fixing your holes. Your Friend Elaine
Thank you Elaine, truly I appreciate your prayers so much. (and your sweet encouragement) xo
I have so many “All time favorite” from All Things Heart and Home, I can’t keep up with them. This may be my All time–All time favorite.
What sneaks through my hole in the screen?
Fear. Worry. Doubt. The computer one too. Pushing too hard and not Surrendering. Doing other things before coming to Him first.
I can’t believe you got this picture! He even posed for you.
I love you. Thank you.
Julie, I got the picture before, it was on the back deck during the summer 🙂 But that little thing started coming inside!!! I have those same issues as you have J, I so understand xo
Just what I needed to hear! Thank you for having “ears to hear and eyes to see”.
Katie, love you sweet girl, I bet Decoy would have had that little critter in a second xo
Thanks for giving me perspective. So often I set out goals and feel like they need my complete attention. Then I realize my priorities are creating the problem of neglect. What I think I need to be doing can actually be taking my mind and time away from what really needs to be my focus. In the end what I am really neglecting is myself! My time with God is precious, yet there are times I cut it short or feel rushed. The same can be said when God presents an opportunity to appreciate the small things in life, but I overlook them. As a little girl I remember my grandmother mending the holes in the screen door and it looked like a patch work screen. I guess I would rather have a patch work screen then pretend there is no hole and let the vermin in life take over. Again, Thanks for sharing!
Denise, I love the idea of a patchwork screen…that’s how my life feels friend, always patching …xo
Here is a scary thought…I’m not sure there has ever been a season when I haven’t allowed unwelcome things to be the “norm.” 🙁 Love your thought process and sharing it with us. 🙂 I have a pretty big hole in my screen on my back porch but unfortunately I get bigger critters like a raccoon and opossum!! :O Only when I put cat food out there though. :/
Gina, raccoons and opossums!!!! Oh my goodness!!! I wonder if I have a season without holes in the screen too? I’m going to think about it …sending love friend
Funny that you mention spending too much time on the computer, but your posts and several others are part of my morning coffee time so please don’t stop. I am also limiting my time on electronics, but let’s face it, they are part of our lives today and we wouldn’t “know” each other if it weren’t for them. Love your visitor and while we have a similar animal here in AZ, I miss the cute and friendly chipmunks we had in the Midwest…will you fix the screen? Sometimes we need those little holes to let life in.
Judy, you’re so sweet my friend…and you’re right about electronics! We did fix our hole in the screen but we still feed those chipmunks on the back deck! xo Sending love~
i love where God took you, but all i could think about as i read this was Gitz watching her chipmunks outside on the patio!
I know Jenn…she loved them didn’t she…
Thank you for these words. I needed to read this at this moment in my life.
Amy, sending love my friend xo
Robin,
Thanks for sharing your vulnerable self. Always inspiring.
Love ya,
madge
Madge, love to you too friend ox
Oh Robin- these are the posts that speak to me so much! I garner so much strength and insight from your quiet moments of reflection. Thank you for sharing! I need to go and make my list now too- this is exactly what I needed to see today! Love you dear one~
Vicky, thank you friend, sending love ox
Sneaking through the hole in my screen seems to be worry, doubt and fear. When that happens, I pray and ask God to quiet my thoughts and to fill me with peace. Which of course He does. But, I need to remember His calming presence before those three things begin to sneak in again.
Happy Friday, dear friend! xxoo
I have those things sneak in too Eileen…sending love ox
Wow, great analogy. You are so right!
Sally, thank you friend xo
Thank you for sharing your heart with us today, Robin. It was such a blessing to me to read this. I pictured you sitting in the quiet of the morning, surrounded by your beloved furbabies, whispered prayers on your lips. I suddenly realized how busy my mornings usually are. I never take the time to just sit and BE and LISTEN and PRAY. You opened my eyes, my friend. God spoke through you and I thank you for listening. ?
xoxo laurie
Laurie, Thank you for taking time to leave a comment my friend…I so understand the pull in the direction of busy. Every morning I’m pulled to jump in and get something accomplished or to have my quiet time, which is really the most important “accomplishment” in my day. Sending love my friend~xo
So well said! I so often feel this way and you have expressed it so perfectly. I’m working on fixing the “whole in my screen” too. Glad to know I’m not alone.
Genny, it’s reassuring to know others feel like we do…xo