Day 165; Footnotes of Making That Difference

Tis the season…

Earlier today I looked down to see an ant walking across my desk. For some reason I simply watched it walk along until it disappeared . A few moments later, it came walking along again, following that same path. Ants drive me crazy when they come in the house, but its usually in the kitchen, not this room. The third time around I captured and relocated said ant to outside where it belonged. I am wondering though if that ant realized it was walking in circles?  Since I didn’t see any more, I figured it was the same ant every time.

I decided to give my sweet Bella a bath today. And yes, I did it in my bathtub, it has been scoured out. Bella, I’m pretty sure knew something was up. I was running water in the tub and wandering around collecting things. All out of the ordinary for me. When I had enough water in the tub, I called my son to help me get Bella. She had came when I called but was trying to turn and head for the hills, or in the very least under my desk.

My son managed to get her into the bathroom and then lifted her into the tub. This crazy dog who will allow you to spray her with the garden hose while she chases the water until she is saturated, was not happy. She was even less happy as I started gently pouring water over her back. She didn’t mind the actual washing part, but then the rinse cycle had her wanting out and me needing more arms. Of course my son had deserted me right after lifting Bella into the tub. I got her bathed, and was working on the drying part as the tub drained. Once I had her a little less soaked through, I let her out of the tub and out of the bathroom. She walked through the house shaking  but since I had dried her she really didn’t spread much liquid. She did come into this room to pout.I told my son not to allow her to get out, but of course he did. The very first thing she did, roll in the dirt.

First thing this morning while I was talking with mom, she mentioned that she had heard a tree limb fall and wondered if I knew where. I had no idea as I didn’t hear it, but I’d go out and look. When I finally did go outside, I went to help my son get his camper backed into place. While he did what ever it was he had to do first, I walked up to where I had my jeep parked. The limb that fell, had fallen about five feet from my Jeep. The limb was huge and had it hit the car would have done some damage.

I wonder, how often we, ourselves, walk in circles? We believe we are accomplishing something, we think we are getting somewhere, but in truth we are merely spinning our wheels going around and around. All the while nothing is getting done. We make plans, we scheme, we plot, we ponder and get nowhere. Maybe, we were trying to go in the wrong direction. Maybe we had taken a wrong turn. Maybe, we really weren’t sure where we needed to be going but kept walking anyway. Not stopping to seek guidance. Not stopping to clarify purpose. Not checking to see if we were working toward accomplishing our mission, or simply just walking in circles getting nothing done and getting nowhere fast.

I wonder, how many times, that we have cleaned ourselves up from past mistakes, washing away all the dirt and stains, only to turn around and roll around again in the same dust? Incorrect thoughts, wrong ideas, mistakes in judgement, missteps in work, relationships, life? Maybe once taking a wrong turn and getting involved in something that should have never been messed with, but even though you walked away, it drew you back.

I wonder, how many times we thought we were safe, only to see that near miss? When you witness something and you think, there but by the grace of God go I. And you wonder, why was it not you? And maybe, you think, since it isn’t/wasn’t me…maybe there is something I can do to help them, or someone like them. Maybe, I can be the difference some how, for someone. Maybe not the one you saw, but someone. There are plenty of places needing volunteers, and its the volunteers who make that difference.