When my husband, Kenneth, and I moved back to Wisconsin, we decided to build. The only lot available at the time was part of a condo association on the golf course. Sounded great. I thought about the views from my porch. I was so “on board.” Then the first morning in our new home, we were awakened by mowers just outside our windows at 5:15 a.m. We learned that location isn’t all about the view, there are more things to consider.
This morning as I sat on my porch with my coffee, enjoying those views, I nodded to the man on the mower as he buzzed past my yard at 5:30. I laughed to myself as I reminded myself that if I’d consider carefully, I’d have realized golf courses are manicured and require frequent mowing. And If I’d considered it carefully, I’d have realized, as well, that it would occur during daylight hours before golfers arrived – code for “very early.” Good news, though; we’ve discovered that a box fan running on medium masks the mower noise. Who knew?
As I sat and watched the mower during my prayer time, I recognized the LORD teaching me again through life. Two things became apparent to me; the consequences of not considering all the details on our journeys and the impact of our actions on others around us.
The early morning noise isn’t the only instance in my life where failing to consider thoroughly my choices, I have found myself in a situation I’d not considered. Another example for me would be technology. It is wonderful to have a computer on my desk with the capabilities that it has to connect me to so many others. That’s the good side. What I hadn’t considered is the connection to things like games. I have to watch myself. I am a Free Cell addict. I am still working on using the technology for the good it brings to my journey and limiting or eliminating the distractions it can bring.
On our journeys, there will be multiple times and places where our choices are good, but they may have unconsidered consequences. Our role is to focus on the “good” reasons and advantages and to avoid those that lead us away from the good or impact our ability to focus on the good.
The second thing our choice of locations has taught me is the unexpected impact of the actions of others. I notice it most acutely when it is someone else’s action that impacts me, like the 5:30 a.m. mower noise that wakes me. But it is a two directional reality. Things I do impact others, as well. Do I consider that as I journey? Do I consider how what I am doing is affecting another? Part of our journey is helping others, not being an obstacle to others. My demeanor can impact the way others view Christianity, the others see Christians. It gives me cause to consider how welcoming, how loving, how gracious, how kind I am to others.
This journey has lots of surprises. But if we are alert along the way, we can see the obstacles and the negative aspects of even good things. We can adapt. We can prayerfully seek the LORD’s help and guidance. We can find ways to continue on the way, focused on Christ in whose footsteps we seek to follow.
Until tomorrow, let us all love well.
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