Lessons Learned

 by Macy Johnson

“I will give them singleness of heart and action,

so that they will always fear me for their own good

and the good of their children after them.”

(Jeremiah 32:29 NIV)

 

I reached into my purse at Publix to retrieve my wallet to pay my bill. My wallet was wet! I reached further into my purse to see where the moisture was coming from. Out came an opened sandwich bag full of rotten cherry tomatoes. Ugh!

 

The smell was disgusting and my hand was covered with tomato juice. I paid my bill and hurried out of the store and home to empty the mess. I vaguely recollected that a friend gave me the homegrown tomatoes several weeks before. I had carelessly placed the bag in my purse and promptly forgot about them. Shame on me!

 

While I cleaned everything in my purse, Jeff, my husband, went into our camper to retrieve something out of the refrigerator. To his surprise, one of my sodas had frozen and exploded. After checking on the internet (three years too late) for the proper care of a camper refrigerator, we learned it should be turned off and cleaned out after every trip. Another lesson learned. I added the new task to my camping checklist.

 

I am not sure how I will remember to not put perishables in my purse again, but I vowed to be more careful in the future.

 

“What are you teaching me, Lord?” I asked. “Be alert, awake, and pay attention to what you are doing! Be disciplined in all your choices and remember to take care of the gifts I have given you,” He replied. Carelessness is not acceptable, no matter how rushed or distracted I am.

 

I will take care of His gifts so others are blessed through them. I hope you will, too!