Crazy Socks!

Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; your Spirit is good.  Lead me in the land of uprightness.

It is the morning of my birthday.  My husband, Danny, is sleeping in today because he is working at home.  He gets up so insanely early on those days he has to go into the office, I try to be quieter than the proverbial mouse in order to grant him that luxury.

About nine o' clock, I hear the shower running, so I know Danny's up.  I hasten to make fresh coffee, turn on his computer, and am looking forward to my own leisurely clean up routine.

That's when my phone rings.  It's not a number I recognize, but the town, I do.  It's where my daughter and son-in-law live.  Intuitively, I think it must be Virginia Rose's school calling.  I'm spot on.

"Hello, this is Martha."

"Hi, this is the school nurse, Susan.  Are you Virginia's Gammie?"

"Yes, I am.  What's wrong?"

"I can't get in touch with her mother or father.  Virginia is running a fever of 101 degrees.  You need to come get her as fast as you can."

So much for leisurely anything!  I'm over thirty minutes away from her school, so I fly into action.  Showered, dressed and out the door in record time, I'm anxious to pick up my ailing granddaughter and get her home.

As I drive along, the urge to speed is overwhelming.  But that could have dire and unwelcome consequences.  I choose to pray instead.  Lord, don't let Virginia's fever spike.  Let me arrive in time without doing anything foolish and without anything worse happening to her.

It works.  I heave a deep sigh, keep my eyes on the road, and trust God will get me there safely and in His time.

When I arrive at the school, Virginia is in the clinic, lying on a cot, and looking wan and pale.  Yet still she has a big smile and a hug for me.  I'm so relieved to find she is able to walk on her own to the car, which I miraculously managed to park quite close to the school building as the lot was packed by people arriving to vote.  Thank you, Lord, again!

I fasten my listless little grand-girl into her car seat, and we embark on the brief ride to her home.  I can tell she isn't feeling well because she isn't talking much at all, a sure sign that all is not well with the usually gregarious and bubbly Virginia.  But I feel compelled to ask her a question.

"Virginia, when did you start to feel sick today?"

"When I woke up this morning."  I'm shocked by her response.

"Why didn't you tell Mommy you didn't feel well?"

"Because," she explains, "I wanted to go to school.  It's Crazy Socks Day."

Crazy Socks Day???  I have to remember I'm dealing with the rationalization skills of a five-year-old.

But then, it hits me.  How many times do we, as adults, fling ourselves headlong into an activity we want to do or an event we are bent on attending without a second thought as to whether this is something God would have us do?  I know, if I'm honest with myself, I stand guilty as charged.

It behooves us to remember this verse from Psalm 143 before we make decision of any kind.  We must seek out God's will, for His Spirit is good, and He will never lead us down the road to temptation.

Even when we're wearing crazy socks!

~

Are you asking God to teach you His will?

Prayer:  Father, so many times, we are tempted to go astray, neglecting to first seek Your will for our lives, and putting our selfish interests first.  Help us to stop and pray for Your guidance in all that we do, so You may lead us in the land of uprightness.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.