In a Jam

All of the action was on the opposite side of the stage, but my eyes stayed focused on her. That’s just what a mama’s eyes do.

Wasn’t it only yesterday that she was putting on a show in the driveway? The neighbors turning in their crayon embellished tickets, then filling in picnic benches and lawn chairs for the premiere.

Now she was up there on that massive stage, the glow on her face reaching the very back row of the theatre. Her character had been off to the side eating a jar of blackberry jam, and she began to move back into the dialogue.

Her graceful, confident demeanor quickly vanished, and a look of shear panic covered her face. I was sure I had to be imagining what happened next.

Rather than walking across the stage, as she had done multiple times in this scene, she threw herself to the ground and slid across the wood floor like a baseball player diving toward home plate. What in the world! I sat up straight in my squeaky chair with my eyes bugging out of my head. And then I saw it.

The jar of jam.

Did I mention that it was glass?

Rolling. Off. The. Stage.

It reached the end of the platform, and I envisioned an explosion of shards and purple jelly. Just then…her small hand extended into the open air and grasped that jar like the jaws of life!

I was about to pass out. But she just got up and calmly walked to her next destination on the stage as if nothing was amiss. It was one of those moments in a performance when patrons turn to a neighbor and whisper: “Was that supposed to happen?”

After the show was over, she kept hearing the words “good catch!” She later joked that it didn’t actually count as a save because she kicked the thing over herself!

What do you think? If we get ourselves into a jam and then we get ourselves out of it, does it count as a “good catch”?

I’m going to go with a heck yeah!

Considering that we are human and guaranteed to mess up regularly, it is a comforting reminder that we are capable of bailing ourselves out.

No matter the circumstance- an unhealthy habit, strained relationship, miserable work environment, parenting difficulty, or overloaded schedule- there is something that we can do to have a positive impact. What is your perilously rolling jar of jam? We can courageously throw ourselves at the issue, determined to keep the glass from shattering, even if it’s out of character to be so bold.

And the best part is…we don’t have to do it alone. We have a loving Father who longs for our happiness just as passionately as we do.

I have been a slow learner along my faith journey. If God were not perfection, I’m certain His patience would have runneth out! But I’m finally understanding that if I take the time to truly know Jesus, and bask in His presence each day, I am able to recognize His voice above all the noise. And His guidance is that unexpected hand reaching out to catch us, just as we’re about to fall.

This week, I’m going to focus on one area of my life that isn’t going so well. With God’s help, I will do one thing with gusto to make it better. Join me?

Same time, same place next Wednesday! See you then.