You Can't Always Get What You Want

The presumptuousness of people never ceases to amaze me. One of the hottest sports stories this week is the Carolina Panther’s rookie, Cam Newton’s, wish to wear the No. 2 jersey that is currently in the possession of Jimmy Clausen. I seem to remember something about possession being nine tenths of the law. I wonder why Cam can’t be satisfied with being one of the most highly recruited college players of the year.


I’ve been obstinate a time or two in my life, but probably one of the most obstinate maneuvers I ever employed was refusing to go to school in the fourth grade. That was the year that Mrs. McGinnis, my favorite teacher at Avondale Elementary School, started teaching fourth grade and I wasn’t assigned to her classroom. All of you who have been on the receiving end of my sometimes obstinate behavior can blame my parents because they caved and petitioned to have me moved from Mrs. Harpole’s class to Mrs. McGinnis’ class. In the end, I got what I wanted.

I could have retired and bought my own island if I had a dollar for every time I have uttered or heard the words, “I want.” Let’s see; I’ve wanted a new car, a new pair of shoes, a certain piece of jewelry, straight hair, to be able to do something, to have something change, a new cell phone or whatever new gadget is currently being advertised. I have fervently prayed for others to like me, for a good grade, for a change of circumstance and in general, for things to turn out like I wanted.

But the truth of the matter is that we can’t and don’t always get what we want. We can beg, plead, pout and stomp our feet, but sooner or later we have to learn to be content with what we have, where and who we are. There comes a time when we have to cowgirl up and admit that God knows best. It pains me to admit, but it all comes down to admitting that I’m not the one in control. I somehow have to learn to be in the place where God has me. The place where God has placed me has a purpose bigger than what I want. Recognizing and accepting that is called contentment. Contentment means that we can accept God’s point of view. Being content means that we have learned to trust in God’s promises.

Sadly, there are times when the obstinate fourth grade attitude still rears its ugly head. When that happens and I find myself wanting something more, something different, I wish I could say that the first words of assurance that I remember are the words of Jeremiah 29:11 and Philippians 4:13. However, more often than not, it is Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones singing “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” that puts me in my place and reminds me that I am not the one in control.

                                                                       Be content with what you have,
                                                                       rejoice in the way things are.
                                                                       When you realize there is nothing lacking,
                                                                       the whole world belongs to you.
                                                                                                                 - Lao Tzu

Copyright © 2011 Judith Bell

Insurance

(written 4/27/ll)

I respect the power and fury of a severe storm system. I used to sit on the window ledge of my 8th floor dorm room and watch the lightning strikes on nearby mountains. I’ve lived in Iowa and have seen the sky turn eerily yellow and then black and I’ve spent a number of hours in a basement waiting for the all clear to be sounded. But, truth be told, I love a good thunderstorm. I’ve never wanted to be a storm chaser, but I’m not afraid the thunder, lightning or all of the other elements of stormy weather.


Tuesday night was an exception. I stood on the front porch and watched as the clouds rolled, the wind picked up and the storm broke loose. That was until a local television station’s radar showed a strip of white embedded in a strip of red bearing down on Swartz, my little corner or the world. It was somewhat alarming seeing Swartz isolated from the larger Monroe community. I didn’t get to fret about that too long, because it was about that time that the power went out.

Lee and I visited by candlelight for a while and then went to bed. I heard several loud bouts of thunder during the night, but nothing that really caused alarm. The power was still out at six o’clock Wednesday morning and I was left to go about the morning routine in relative darkness. I let the dogs out, got my Diet Dr. Pepper and went to get dressed. I was in the back when I heard someone pounding on my front door; a sure sign that something was wrong. When I opened the door I was surprised to see a neighbor from around the corner surrounded by Teak, Flocka and Annie, my three dogs. I must have had a bewildered look on my face because Tyler immediately said, “You have a tree down in the backyard and part of your fence is gone.” Sure enough, sometime during the night, a 15 year Bradford Pear tree had been uprooted and had taken out a large section of the wooden privacy fence. Sensing freedom, the dogs had bolted and were roaming the neighborhood.

I called my parents to arrange for a doggie visit and waited until eight o’clock to call the insurance company. A quick check around the outside of the house revealed only minor damage: the uprooted tree, the destroyed fence, some missing siding, and a few blown off shingles. I had to check my deductible; but came to the quick conclusion that regardless of the amount I was glad that I was covered. Insurance is a funny thing. You know you have it but you don’t think about it until you need it. Too many times that is the same way we think about God; He’s there, but not thought about until something bad happens. The difference is that God’s insurance is free; we call that grace and God’s insurance doesn’t have a deductible; we call him Christ. Because of the cross we are always covered by God’s insurance.

The damage to my home was minor but it took most of the day to get things settled. The dogs were loaded up and taken to my parents. The adjuster came and went and the clean-up will be scheduled. As the chaos of the day wound down, I was able to draw a parallel between the damages and God’s insurance.

• Uprooted tree – It is God in whom I am rooted and firmly held
• Demolished fence – God is my hedge of salvation
• Missing siding – God is always at my side
• Damaged roof – God’s banner over me is love

God is the ultimate insurance policy, but it is his assurance that covers me in peace and hope; “My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” – Psalm 62: 5-8

Copyright © 2011 Judith Bell

****Deadly thunderstorms have swept across the south from Texas to the East Coast killing over 200 people. Please remember these families and communities in your prayers.