Don’t Grow Weary in Doing Good

Happy Tuesday, Friend!

 

Phew, did I have a week last week! You know how sometimes it feels like the “hits” just keep coming? It was like that. It was enough to make me cry uncle—and aunt, and all other relatives, as a matter of fact. I don’t really give credence to the idea that bad stuff happens in threes, but I had three whammies.

 

First of all, someone said some rather unkind things about me to me and to at least one other person, probably more. Things were said about my character that weren’t true. It was the first time something like that ever happened to me, and it was frustrating, but I knew the truth and kept my cool. Thank God for His Holy Spirit, who helped me know what to say and do in that situation. Hopefully that’s over with.

 

Then, a few days later, came the second wallop. I help with some administrative tasks in a group that I’m in—I like that sort of stuff. My mom was the school secretary for many years and the most organized person you could ever meet. I think I inherited some of that. There was some paperwork that needed attention, and I had some extra time that week, so I spent a good bit of time working on that. I’m not paid for this; I just like helping out and enjoy these kinds of tasks. I brought this updated information to the group for distribution. One of the members let me know in no uncertain terms that I’d done a less-than-adequate job. She used more descriptive terms, but I’ll just leave it there. Let’s see—that’s one, two . . .

 

Next!

 

You might know that I have a Little Free Library in our front yard. Books are my favorite things ever, and I love having a spot right in our yard where neighbors can share books. In April, I’ll have had it for nine years! Kevin and I have also reached the jigsaw-puzzle season of our lives, and we always have one on our kitchen table. We have piles of puzzles we’ve already done, and last Friday I decided to put some out in the front yard next to my Little Library and give some away. It was a beautiful day, no chance of rain, so I knew they’d be fine out there. I have a collapsible cart on wheels that’s so handy for toting stuff around. I took about 8 to 10 puzzles out to the cart in our garage, added a sign that said, “Free Puzzles,” and wheeled it out to the front of our house, along the sidewalk, and next to the Little Library.

 

We happened to be watching our son’s dog, Stella, at the time, and I had taken her out for one of our many walks.

 

The entire cart was gone—puzzles and all.

 

My first thought was, Did someone think they could really take the cart, too?? And then I thought, Maybe they live somewhere in the neighborhood and wanted all the puzzles. Maybe they’re wheeling them to their house and then bringing my cart back. Or, maybe I’m just a ding dong.

 

Strike three! I’m out!!

 

OK, so as these things were happening last week, there were words that I kept hearing somewhere in my head. “Do not grow weary in doing good.” Hmmmm, where have I heard that before? Oh yeah! It’s in the Bible! Paul said it in Galatians 6:9. Well, more like the Holy Spirit said it through Paul (there’s that Holy Spirit again, always helping with words. He really is good at that.)

 

Whammy #3 also reminded me of something that happened to a dear man I knew when we lived in Delaware. Mr. Dressler was the music director at the church I attended. I was active in the music ministry there, and simply adored Mr. Dressler. If Beethoven, Albert Einstein, and Santa Claus had a baby (I know, weird thought), it would be Mr. Dressler. A kinder soul you could not meet. And a musical genius to boot.

 

One day, I stopped at the church and went into the music room for something. There was Herr Dressler, working on something fabulous. He told me that overnight, someone had broken into the music room and stolen a boombox. (This was 30 years ago, when boomboxes were still a “thing.”) I was aghast and must’ve registered that expression. Who would steal from Santa Claus? He just smiled and said, “Maybe they needed it more than I do.” What in the world?! How could he even think that? But he seemed genuine! There seemed to be no ill will toward the person who stole from him.

 

And so, I thought that maybe someone really needed those puzzles and the cart. I know. It seems a bit Pollyanna to say that, but it helps me not grow weary of sharing books and puzzles with my neighbors.

 

So far, this week has started better than last, thank You, Lord. And I have to say, in all three of these events, I received more support from my community than criticism. But if life comes around again and knocks me in the teeth, I’m going to try to always hold fast to the truth. I’m going to always try to get back up and move on to the next thing.

 

I hope you will, too.

 

Written with love – – – – Patti XOXO

PS – I’ve got some company coming to town and will take next week off. I’ll write again on March 9. Stay well!

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.

At just the right time we will reap a harvest

of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)