8/3/2019 Rake Rake Rake

1/2

So while I was in the prayer processing center waiting for prayers to be answered (approved) it wouldn't be me to just sit and wait . Its more in my character to continue being tod . So I went on like I usually do . This time I paid more attention to my immediate surroundings. Over the past weekend I was compelled to do the good deed of raking leaves up on the block. Its therapeutic. It gave me achance to think. The year was coming to an end and I always say every thing I'mdoing now is happening for a reason, its preparing me for the next thing. As I

raked I thought about my small accomplishments and my loftier aspirations. How much closer was I to achieving them. Of all the aspirations I had, getting closer to what I knew to be God remained at the top. In spite of my shortcomings, flaws and idiosyncrasies quirks, and eccentricities, God still remained at the topof the list. I was determined to get on that G list. Im jus sayin. And notbecause I get my way all the time, but because I don't. When I don't get my wayI end up with a bit more than I asked for needed or deserved.

Rake , Rake, Rake

This menial, thankless effort that I was putting forth was just enough to keep me humble. In springtime, my hands in dirt, planting vegetables or flowers puts

me in touch with God. In the fall it does the same with raking. The more I rakedthe more they fell. And when I said thankless I spoke too soon. Remember how Isaid earlier Part of my thing was to speak to 10 people in the morning and get 10 responses? That was a good thing because those were the people who greeted mefirst and said Hey Thanx, Nice Job . To you ,that means absolutely nothing and it shouldnt . To me it means that no good effort goes unnoticed...no matter how small.

Rake Rake Rake

You see , a long time ago, because of the people who I'm lucky enough to know,I learned how to be thankful.Everytime they complained about something or made light of my accomplishments or found mirth or mistake in everything I did, I secr

etly blessed and thanked them for that. It taught me to take value in myself the same way something higher than myself does . It's the thankless jobs that build character because they are being done without expectation of reward, the things that people despise doing. Theyd rather be doing anything else.These are also the things that people who refused to do willingly, will complain about other people doing it. See, these are the lessons that a life lived, teaches us.That"s why I like to do things like raking or working alone, so I, and I alone couldlook back at what I achieved, correct my own mistakes before some one else trie

s to .Their job is to do just that. They're in the processing center too, Pointing out everyones mistake

. The flaws and mistakes we see in someone else are actually in ourselves . Thin

k about it, if all an individual can see in someone else are their flaws, then its likely that is all they have in them ....I'm jus sayin. I'm sure we all knowsomeone like that. Its best not to ever take advice from someone like that because its obvious they haven't tried their own . They are the people you come across in the prayer processing waiting room. They have all the answers and advice, but its hard to detect that advice having an effect on them .I'm jus sayin .Its difficult for them to give a compliment but easier to find flaw. Its easier for them to ask for our prayers but harder to pray with someone. It's the magnificent Obsession that God has with us that shows us how to exercise that same conduct, discipline and compassion that we have within ourselves, with other people .

Hmmm.

Good thing I didn't take value in their opinion. A Higher opinion means more tome. I feel a lot better when I see myself as God does .Just like I am. Imperfect

8/3/2019 Rake Rake Rake

2/2

.

Rake, Rake Rake

As the weekend went on I noticed that I had some text messages thanking me. Andnot just from one or two or three people. In fact I actually thought that they were complaints . Remember ,I told you I was lucky enough to know people who are

in charge of pointing out my mistakes and flaws and looking at what I was doingwrong or finding fault in things. I'm so lucky to know people like this becauseI can check myself and see what I would look like if I did those things. So whenI saw messages thanking me from the most unlikeliest sources, I just thanked Go

d for letting me know that no good deed goes unnoticed...no matter how small. And just because someone else notices it ,it doesn't make it any gr8er. And if they belittle it ,.it doesn't diminish it either. You just get another chance to say thank you. It doesn't give us a free pass to anything except gratitude to be able to take part in the smallest way in Gods gr8 tapestry. The small insignificant things that I do without recognition are what weaves itself into that tapestry. The different types of people who are woven in intricately will teach me thegr8est lessons in life , and I will learn those lessons from their experiences.

Oh yes, life is the gr8est teacher of life itself, but only as we let life liveitself -tod. I'm jus sayin.

This is how I fuel my ambition instead of my fear. It's a constant walking alonewhile knowing something gr8ter is near . It's really not about us at all becaus

e we are insignificant. But here's where it gets interesting. As insignificant as we are, we are also God s Magnificent Obsession . I know right? How can that be?Lets not tarnish it by using logic to find out. I'm jus sayin. Logic banishesany chance we have at being awestruck at the sheer magnitude of his power. We find out that we are a part of His Obsession every time we weave ourselves into that tapestry. Its woven with threads of compassion,you, understanding ,obedience, me, prayer,friends prayer and a little more prayer. There is a bit of that person that you hold a grudge against woven in there. Oh yeah, did I mention pray

er. And no, not the prayer that our great grand parents had. Its the prayer thatevolved from that. The kind that excludes doctrine and law. The kind that just

requires us to be honest . With ourselves. Yeah, that kind. It kinda abolishes the need for that prayer approval committee , doesn't it? I'm jus sayin.

The operators will still be standing by though........

It's exactly that kind of dialog we can have with ourselves dashed with humoras a side benefit that gives us glimpses into the inner workings of a Creatorwho could refer to each and everyone of us as His Magnificent Obsession.

Rake Rake Rake

Welcome leaves, Ive been expecting you.