Some days... and what makes a difference--

 Philippians 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, 14)  I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 Solitaire, a game of aggravation.  Maybe you're so close, but no dice, you just do not have the right card at the right time.  In those moments you realize you just can't pull it off. Or maybe you lay out your cards, and it doesn't pan out at all... so the best thing to do is close it up. Does your life ever seem like one of those games of solitaire?

Are you like the popular saying, "I'm always a day late, and a dollar short".   By the end of the pay period I'm stretching things to make ends meet.  Maybe it's the same for you.  Maybe it's money, maybe it's time, or it might be that your life goes from one crisis to another.

During his sermon, a preacher related a situation that happened while he was attempting to counsel a family.  The mother had called him during a problem with one of her grown children.  He went a number of times to try helping them.  During one of his last visits, when he entered their living room, there they sat watching a soap opera, and it occurred to him--that's what their lives are like, a living soap opera.  They were always having a crisis.

I have witnessed the times when children come to visit, they keep their moms busy by going from one table, to another surface, then on to another place pulling items down, or off of that area.  The mother will run behind putting things back where they were, only to keep going all around the room, picking up after their child... 

What is wrong with this picture?  It is similare to the game of Solitaire, being a day late, dollar short, or even making your life into something that resembles a soap opera.

The last case is easily remedied.  Instead of following around after the child, do what they did in the old Western movies...cut them off at the pass.  That child is smart enough to figure out how to control adults, so you must be smarter than the two year old (or how ever old the child is).  First, put the child--gently but firmly-- out of commission, be it chair time, play pen time, or some form of time out.  Then put the mess aright.  There needs to be an adult in control of the situation.

In the soap opera case it would be similar.  Identify just what is causing the crisis, and cut it off at the pass.  If it is a person tell them they are no longer in control of your life; their behaviour is not going to be rewarded.  Time for them to move on and grow up.  If it's your own behaviour--tell yourself the same thing.  Time to grow up and move on.


If your life keeps turning into a game of solitaire that won't go anywhere...again analyze what the reasons may be.  Is it your own personal habits?  Is it things that happen and take you unaware?  Never have enough money?  Is your money spent on 'doodads'?  Things you want, don't need, and are counter productive...  What about not enough time?  Well, the same can go for time.  What do you spend your time on?  There are time-suckers that you don't need, and they are usually counter productive as well.  My grandmother used to say 'We work first, then we play'.   Not enough resources?  Sometimes with a little ingenuity, a little thinking outside the box even that can be overcome.  First you need to identify what is holding you back.  Sit down, be honestly critical, write down what you would like to see happen for good in your life--your analysis is a key here.  Ask yourself--in this game...what do I really need?  What do I really need to win; what do I need to be my highest self, and ultimately to be happy.
Three things I've learned this week are: decide who you are, and who you are going to be-- in all kinds of situations, aim high, don't let Satan control your life through the life of others, or through your own short comings--cut him off at the pass.

Romans 8:28  And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.
Hallelujah, what a Savior!