Know the Bed and Stay In It

I am not really sure how to verbalize my thoughts this week.  I have so many running through my head that is hard to put them all in print.  I have been thinking about 2 Thes. 2:4-12, but thoughts get stuck on verse 4.  I just cannot get away from it.

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

As I ponder these words, I am drawn to a thought that was shared with me last week that brings it all together in so many ways.  My friend talked about how his son's family was visiting.  They were limited on space, so they put all the grandchildren in one room to sleep.  The boys were on the bunk beds, and the girls on the day beds.  In the middle of the night they were startled from sleep by the screams of their youngest grandson.  Evidently he had fallen out of the bottom bunk.  He was not seriously injured, but it had scared him.  My friend stood in the doorway as his listened to his son and daughter-in-law console their frightened child.  At one point his son asked, "Why did you fall out of the bed?"  My friend's little grandson thought about it for a few moments and then said, "I guess I was not in far enough."

Wow!  This thought has had me pondering all week.  My mind is filled with questions.  What enticed him to get into the bed in the first place?  Why wasn't he all the way in?  Was he worried about his brother in the top bunk falling on him or his sisters so far away in the day beds across the room?  Could he have pointed the blame on one of them before answering?  Maybe his brother was talking to him from above before they fell asleep. Maybe it was just because he was in an unfamiliar bed and felt restless.  Or maybe it was a thousand and one other reasons that he just was not in far enough or that something had drawn him out to the edge.

Then I realized that it does not matter what the reason.  It is just like life.  We have to commit ourselves to getting all the way in.  I guess I understood the phase of, "You make the bed you sleep in." a little differently.  

Going back to 2 Thes.  This verse talks about Satan.  He was not in the bed all the way.  He was only focused on one thing, the Throne of God.  He only saw the Throne, not the kingdom, the people in the kingdom, the responsibility of the kingdom, and all that goes with the kingdom.  He just wanted to sit on the Throne.  From the Throne, he figured it would all be easy peasy.  

Unfortunately, because he did not have the full vision of the bed he was asked to make, he fell out when challenged on how the Throne would be the only thing he focused on.

How many of us find ourselves in similar situations?  Are we seeing/making the whole bed?  Are committed to being tucked in and staying for the duration?  Or do we fall out when the blankets appear to be thin, or the pillow too flat?  Are we seeing or seeking the entire picture or are we focused on just what is in it for "me"?

Whether that bed be work, school, family, relationship, covenants, church, or any other commitment we make, are we in it fully?  Or are we sleeping on the edge?

I am not sure it makes sense to you, but it has really given me much to think about.  I hope it works for you like it has worked for me.

This week had been good.

The Queen did a little training, but not much.  She kept long days and short nights making sure that as much as she had scheduled to happen this week did. I am utterly amazed at all she accomplishes.

The Professor spent a couple evenings this week with the parents of her students. With her only personal class time, teaching, and the visiting with parents, it made for a week full of long days.

Tall Man was on Spring Break, but found a few days of work to help pass the time.  He wanted to work more, but life got in the way.  We saw him for a few brief moments toward the end of the week when he came by to clean up between activities.

SnackPack also found himself juggling the midnight oil.  He found himself under some time constraints, but did his best to pull through.  Then he found himself in the cage for this weekends game.  It worked pretty well.  He learned a great deal and hopes to improve.  The strategy is sound.  They keep him fresh in the cage for the first 2 to 3 quarters, and then bring him out sprinting when the rest of the players are dragging.  It was a close game that they just did not pull off.  However, it was a great learning experience and gives the team some ideas for improvement.

Sorry for so much rambling today.  Either the loss of one hour is catching up to me or the spuds from dinner are starting to settle and work their drowsy magic.

Have  a great week!