Allergies
No matter how high tech the doctor’s office, it seems every visit requires a handwritten, manual update for the chart. I’m particularly amused by the allergy list on the back of the form: I won’t do it, but here’s what I’m tempted to put on that clipboard page: I AM ALLERGIC TO dogs that dig holes, unexpected holes between the back door and the garbage bin, picking slimy vegetables, new mown grass, strong cologne, snugly fitting clothes, screaming toddlers at restaurants, Walmart on the first weekend of the month, work or leisure that requires a four am wake-up call, young people who can’t get through an hour’s church service without a trip to the bathroom, those looking at pictures on the phone during the sermon, (Really? Do you think the folks behind you can’t see?), know-it-alls, know-it-alls who visit unexpectedly, robocalls, political robocalls, calls to tell me I have a back brace available, calls that offer me cheap burial insurance, thinking about my burial, any call to my cell or landline after 9 pm, driving in any situation that requires frequent lane changes, driving lanes that disappear unexpectedly, driving with unsolicited advice………….. if the wait for the doctor goes over fifteen minutes, I can fill up three more pages of things I’m “allergic to”….
The list reveals my arrogance and spoiled nature. When I get on that high horse, the Holy Spirit’s job is to assess and realign my attitude. He recently brought God’s list to mind. It seems God has aversions too. Proverbs 6:16-19 mentions it: ”These are six things the Lord hates: seven that are detestable to Him— haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
Now I’m thinking there’s a television program with a plot line for each one of those sins. But don’t those things come up in my own life? More than that, I’m sure God isn’t pleased either with my innate selfishness, my whining, my self-righteousness, my intolerance and lack of compassion.
At times, I have considered myself to be “the queen of rationalization” which is really about lying to myself. The beauty of God’s way is that when my thinking or behavior gets out of line, He doesn’t send an army to beat me up, He sends the gentle reproof of the Holy Spirit to open my eyes and my heart. I can choose to listen or harden my heart and disappoint Him.
I repented of my sins long ago and acknowledged Jesus as Savior, but I still need to work on right living. I don’t want to be “on His list” because He will punish me, but because He loves me so much I want to please Him.
2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
Thank you Lord for not giving up on me.
So glad He never gives up on me!
I am thankful that God has not giving up on me either.
I greatly enjoyed your list of allergies.
We are all so in need of God’s GRACE!!
Loved this post, thank you.