I admit it. I’m a little on the clumsy side.
At a July 4th church picnic when I was about to pop with my first son, I tripped on a cobblestone and had one of those “slow-mo” falling experiences. Arms flailing, pregnant belly bouncing, eyes and mouth open wide. I fought to regain my balance while at least four deacons ran their own slow-mo sprint to my aid. No damage to anything but my pride and one deacon’s plate of potato salad.
When the same baby boy was still in an infant carrier, I parked on the curb next to a friend’s home, pulled his carrier from the back seat, and turned to trek across her front yard, only to trip over the curb and send my baby boy, seat and all, flying across the yard. With bleeding knees and a startled baby, I limped to my friend’s cosmetic party. It was about that time that my hubby forbade me from climbing ladders without a spotter.
More recently, I clomped down the stairs with my sister-in-love’s overstuffed garment bag folded over my arm. The hangers latched on to my leg resulting in an undignified tumble down the last half of the stairs. My knees are now a permanent shade of bruise.
My body isn’t the only clumsy part of me.
My mind has a terrible habit of getting tripped up by thought traps. See if any of these get the best of you?
- I’m passed over for a project I believe I’d do well; confidence crumbles and doubt dances.
- I tweet encouragement to people who never respond; my craving to be appreciated slaps my calling to love.
- I fail to stick to my eating plan or my cleaning schedule or my to-do list…again; discouragement weighs heavier than my will to begin again.
On a day when my heart’s knees were bloody from tripping over unwelcome thoughts, God led me to some healing words from Peter.
Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (I Peter 1:13 NKJV)
In his book, Sparkling Gems from the Greek, Rick Renner explains the term “gird up” refers to an athlete snugly tucking the stray fabric of his robe into his belt prior to a race. Can you imagine the Roman athletes trying to run in those robes? Talk about clumsy!
Just like those athletes, I need to tie up the loose ends of my mind so I can run the race with confidence. By tucking stray thoughts into the Belt of Truth, I will be unhindered, undisturbed, and unchained!
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of tripping. I may not be able to do much about my body’s tendency to stumble, but, thanks to Jesus, my mind can be sure and steady.
Let’s gather up those stray thoughts and tuck them into truth!
By LeeBird at PrayerGifts
Leave a Comment
Modupe says
Wow, wow, wow! God bless you for this. I can identify as I’m clumsy both on my feet and mind and could identify with each scenario you listed.
Really needed this today – God bless you!
Lee Merrill (@LeeBirdFree) says
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! 🙂
Patricia (Pollywog Creek) says
This was wonderful – you have no idea how much I needed this, Lee. Thank you.
Kelli Wommack says
love it! I have very similar stories…my husband calls me “grace!” Love the tie in to our minds. Makes me think of 2 Corinthians 10:5, ” we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”. Thanks for sharing you story!
Brittnie says
I was laughing as I read the first portion of your post b/c growing up (umm and still now) I ALWAYS trip as I am walking UP the stairs in my parents house. Same stair. every. single. time. My parents always laugh at me (still) from the 1st floor as they hear the loud thud. Still manages to amuse them! 🙂
I love this verse if 1 Peter that you referenced. I don’t think I have ever read this verse with this “topic” in mind and it goes hand in hand. I am definitely guilty of a cluttered mind and letting unwelcome thoughts linger too long. Thanks for the encouragement!
Amy Hunt says
Oh I love this writing of yours! I read a book once as a child called, “Megan the Klutz” and though my name isn’t Megan my dad still calls me by that name when I act without thinking and klutz in my living.
I’ve not thought about how klutzy my thinking can be, though, and how I trip up on my own mind. I know what is true and what I should do, and yet I still do it. It’s necessary to *gird* ourselves, as you so wonderfully explained! So. Important. You write more than encouragement, you write real-true-instruction-living.
Rich blessings, sweet Lee, as you continue to accept your own unique self…clumsy and all…
Tina Miller says
Absolutely loved this!! Loved the mental image of tucking in those stray thoughts into our armor!! Thank you so much!
Holley Gerth says
Such a great reminder! Thank you!
Amy McCollister says
I too, am a clumsy person. If I am honest (which I see as the best thing to be) there is one thought I stumble over more often than any other one. Writing a blog feeling really passionate about it, then getting no comments on it. I often think, “No comments? Really? maybe I’m not a good writer.” When on the contrary, I’ve had several people tell me otherwise. I know people read the blog, and I don’t write for them, but I get crushed by them. Doesn’t make sense, I know. I write to God and that’s all that should matter, but that’s not all that seems to matter.
eileen says
Oh, boy, Lee, I can definitely relate to the clumsiness. Your post reminded me of the first time I was clumsy with my 5 month old son and he fell from his carrier. It shook me up so much!! I do believe my heart stopped beating for a few seconds. 🙂
“but, thanks to Jesus, my mind can be sure and steady.” So thankful, we have this assurance when we keep our eyes and hearts focused on Him
Olivia says
Thank you for being obedient to the call of “tweeting encouragement”! My quiet time this morning was spent asking the Lord to help me to take on his yoke because His burden is light. The burden I’ve taken on over the past several months has been quite heavy. And what do you know? I find your blog! I’m thinking maybe you’ve been to my house or something, because that’s me you’re talkin’ about!
I’ve spent the past few months exhausting myself with trying to catch up with all the things I’ve put on myself. “I fail to stick to my eating plan or my cleaning schedule or my to-do list…again; discouragement weighs heavier than my will to begin again.” …I think you’ve been spying on me! 😉
Not only have I exhausted myself, but I’ve let the enemy call me names like “failure” and “inadequate” and…well, you get it. Thanks for reminding me to “tie up the loose ends of my mind so I can run the race with confidence.”
Heatherly says
Oh, Lee! I share years worth of stories of physical and spiritual clumsiness. Thanks for sharing this, friend!
xoxo
Cliff says
Nice encouragement Sweetie!
Love it!
I chained up the ladder before I left to see the folks just in case! 😉
gitz says
Lee, this was sooo good. and i LOVED the photo you had with it… where did you find it? so darling.
Jo Princess Warrior says
Fantastic post and so encouraging for me. xo
Liz says
Excellent Leebird!!!!! I loved the story, chuckled thru most of it as I saw myself in those shoes of yours, scraped & bruised legs & all…..congrats!!!!!
Betty Draper says
Great honest encouragement. Aging makes one lose that flexibility that you had when you were young…the joints are stiffer, everyone worries about you falling and breaking a hip so the clumsiness does get worst on the physically side.
Love it that you took it to the spiritual whelm though …..those traps are still out there but that
I Peter I:13 will shut those trap doors and keep the spirit strong even when the physical flexibility is decreases the new man will increase. I plan to pass this one to my fb….got some wise hearted women friend who will love your post.
colleen laquay urbaniuk @ thegiftofmondays.com says
i often joke that the security people watching the camera’s at walmart get excited when i walk in the door because they know there’s about to be a show! i often trip, bump into, knock over, etc and think i must be the least graceful person alive. thanks for your post that reminds me that i’m not alone with either my physical or my mental clumsiness!!!
Amy Sullivan says
Perfect picture for this post that touched me! Thank you.
Lisa Littlewood says
Great post Lee! I’m such a clutz sometimes myself…I have so many of those moments you described!!! My husband actually looks at me from time to time and says, “HONEY! I feel sorry for you!” LOL. I really appreciate what you had to say about stray thoughts…so hard to get them under control sometimes…keep up the good work! If the Lord inspires you to encourage someone, or do something, you don’t need the other person’s approval!!!