Isaiah 55:9
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Since being hospitalized for a week this past January, my MIL (and as she doesn't wish for her real name to appear here, I'll just reference her with these initials) has been staying with us. My husband, Danny, and I have successfully lived without "live" television for years now, but to accommodate MIL, we subscribe to YouTube TV so she can catch all her favorite shows. It's been quite the adjustment for us, as we're not accustomed to background noise of any kind in the house, but it does make MIL happy, and that's what counts.
While neither Danny nor I could give a care about the daytime shows, MIL has successfully hooked us on her favorite evening program: Jeopardy! We gather eagerly around the television as 7:30 rolls around, and remain fixated on the game from start to finish. I even keep "score" as we blurt out answers, sometimes all at once, if one of us happens to respond correctly, especially if it's a Daily Double. Woo-hoo!
More often than not, though, that's not the case. There are a total of 60 questions on the Jeopardy board any given night, plus the Final Jeopardy round. If any of us manage to answer 15 out of the 60, we consider ourselves fortunate. So with such low odds, what's the deal with our attraction to it?
It's the challenge of having to pit our knowledge, such as it is, against the highly qualified contestants; thinking quickly and responding in a flash. What a great mental exercise this is, even when we fail or falter.
But it's humbling, too. So often, we strut around thinking we know so much; proud of our education and life experience. Playing Jeopardy blows that fallible presumption out of the water.
And I'm reminded of the too many times I've chosen my way over God's ways, my thoughts over His, foolishly assuming that I can do whatever task or challenge before me all on my own.
WRONG!!!
It takes heartfelt humility to admit that, but isn't that exactly what God wants from us? A humble, contrite heart, dependent upon Him for everything?
YES!!!
Or to put that in Jeopardy speak, "What is 'yes?'"
And if answering God with a 'yes' is the Daily Double, you can bet I'm risking it all.
Every time . . .
Amen!
What a thought provoking post. That k you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy! Glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Risking it all. Hmmm seems we have forgotten that aspect of following Jesus. But I'll join you and we'll both win.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Bill, it's definitely a win-win proposition for both of us!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Whenever I watch the quiz shows on TV I only manage to answer one of the questions asked. Usually it is when the presenter asks: "What is your name?" Why do they make the questions so difficult? The other day the presenter asked, "What is the distance between the earth and the moon?" Surely, it depends from which country you are measuring from!
ReplyDeleteI like your thought-full post today, Martha. Thank you. God bless you and your family.
Lol, Victor, you've done it again! Sometimes, the name is the only part I get correctly, too. At least I haven't forgotten it . . . yet . . .
DeleteLove and blessings!
I don't think the Supreme Being wants us dependent upon it for everything. The Supreme Being wants us to act - in concert with the teachings- to make this world a better place. And, to be content realizing that we don't have- nor will ever have- all the answers. But, we still must act- and seek out the truth.
ReplyDeleteWhen I speak of dependence, Roy, I don't view it as passive at all. Yes, God wants us to act and serve Him in this world, i.e., loving others as ourselves and doing those things which bring His kingdom closer. To do so, in our sinful state, we must totally rely on Him for strength and courage.
DeleteLove and blessings!
A couple of years ago, our cable package added the Game Show Network and even though I've never been a huge fan of game shows, I got hooked on watching it for awhile. There's something oddly soothing about game shows.
ReplyDeleteGame shows can be fun, Angela, I agree, but I must say Let's Make a Deal and The Price is Right drive me batty. So inane and noisy! Jeopardy, however, is a quiet, reserved game - just another reason I like it.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, You're post is most fascinating. I love how you've painted a word picture using a classic game show. Yes, risking it all for God is a risk well worth taking!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Kim! Maybe risking all for God is the only risk WORTH taking.
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This is a great analogy, Martha. With you, I want to "risk it all" for God! Love and hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Trudy! Let's risk it all in the name of Jesus, the One worthy of our praise and honor.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha,
ReplyDeleteWe are a Jeopardy household. My husband and I have played for most of our marriage. Our daughter started playing with us once she got into high school. I like to say that it keeps me humble! The only advantage I have over my highly intelligent husband is the fact that I can read faster than him :)
I love the way you tie in the humility that playing Jeopardy causes us to experience with our spiritual lives—when we get too big for our britches and think we know so much.
Beckie, that's the only advantage I have, too - I read the questions with lightning speed, shutting out host Alex's spoken word, in order to spew out the answer, if I have one, that is. Just playing together again tonight was humbling. I did get the Final Jeopardy, though. Hooray!
DeleteAnd yes, so glad our knowledge of God keeps us from getting too big for our britches!
Love and blessings!
I loved this post, Martha Jane! What a fun way to bring us such a good lesson on how we need to always depend on Jesus! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteWe do need every reminder out there, Terri, to depend upon Jesus always. We cannot, and will never, accomplish on our own what He can do when aligned with us. We simply need to invite and welcome Him into our lives every day.
DeleteLove and blessings!
There are life lessons everywhere, aren't there? Love this comparison. I don't watch Jeopardy very often, but when I do, this will come to mind! :) Hope things are going well. Love and blessings to you. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteKaren, the Lord has encouraged me to see life lessons in even the smallest of things, and that has helped me to grow in faith more than I can describe. And I can't begin to thank Him enough for this gift. The subtitle for this blog is no mistake: Finding the miraculous in the mundane. It's there, always!
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"Playing Jeopardy blows that fallible presumption out of the water."
ReplyDeleteTrue! Haha... life is like that too.
Oh, yes it is, Sandi - too true! May we all be more humble about our "knowledge."
DeleteLove and blessings!
LOVE that you all sit together and watch/play. WHAT FUN!
ReplyDeleteHow blessed is your MIL to have you as her back up!
Blessings!
Yes, it's such a fun thing to do together, watching Jeopardy. MIL and Danny also love Survivor, which comes on tonight, so they'll watch that together. Me? I'm not a big fan of that particular show. Lol!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I just realized I never got back to you to respond since my note to you from the eye dr. office yesterday! LOL. I totally understand the changes in your life since your MIL has come to stay. We went through that for several years, thankfully only on the weekends, but it was definitely a life-changer. My heart goes out to you, because no matter how "pleasant" one can be, it is a change in your routine, lifestyle, and peace. On the other hand, it is a challenge to your faith and patience and love. My MIL is in a nursing home now, and we visit her weekly. But I will admit there are times I miss her here at home. We had some sweet times together. Take advantage of this time to learn about her past...her childhood, other things that she loves and misses. Write down her memories if you can...think about how you would feel if you were in her shoes and what you would wish for. Praying for you because I know it isn't easy. And I love jeopardy!!! It's a good brain-teaser!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pamela, for your kind words of encouragement and reassurance. They mean so much! And both Danny and I realize that MIL may not have much longer here on earth, and though it has changed what we are able to do in so many ways, this too, shall pass. We are just happy and grateful that we can be here for her when otherwise she would have to go into assisted living. Oh, how she'd HATE that!
DeleteI'm glad your MIL is happy where she is now - that is such a blessing, too. And I'm certain it does her heart good to see you both every week.
Love and blessings!
I do love Jeopardy too but am not quick enough with my responses. I would score better on a paper test where the stress of not answering right away wasn't present. My hubby is great at trivia. You always want him on your team. So gracious of you to take you MIL in even with the dramatic change in dynamics in your house. I would too miss the quiet. Rarely do i have on background noise when Bill isn't here so know it is an adjustment. I hope you do seek some quiet time even if it is in the bathroom. LOL I remember those peaceful moments when the kids were young and hiding behind closed doors for a few brief moments of peace. LOL
ReplyDeleteJean, I do take quiet time, intentionally; otherwise, I'd go nuts in a heartbeat. I retreat to our bedroom, close the door, engage in my Lenten reading for the day, and end with 15 minutes of breathing/contemplative prayer. I'll be posting more about this on Friday. It is truly saving my sanity at this season of my life (loved your latest blog about that!). And I do hear you about the quick thinking being tough; I actually have to read the question/answer while good ol' Alex is talking to even have a chance at it. Lol!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Leave it to TV to teach us a whole bunch of things about ourselves that we'd rather not look at.
ReplyDelete* sigh *
We are a work in progress, aren't we, Martha ...
P.S. I like shouting at the TV, too!
;-}
We are definitely works in progress, Linda, that's for sure! And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who shouts at the TV - Lol!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thank you Martha for mentioning my book on Linda's blog. I have responded there:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lindastoll.net/2018/03/whats-on-your-night-table.html#comment-form
Mush appreciated. God bless.
You are so welcome, Victor! I'm pleased to do so.
DeleteLove and blessings!