“I am the vine, you are the branches; He that abides in Me and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

You know how it is when you want to fix things.  Something catches your eye, you study it quickly finding there is something that will benefit from your ‘magic touch’, so you fix it.

When my kids were small, I would attempt to trim up their hair a little in between cuts. I could easily see what needed done.  Where are my scissors?  First, a little off here, then a little there.

Let me just get that hair out of your eyes a tiny bit more…

Wait.

Okay. It’s okay. Just a teense crooked.

I’ll just take a little more on this side and even it up… oops.  Well, just a little more over here…

You can see where this is going, I’m sure.  (Let it suffice to say that my adult children flinch to this day when they see me with scissors in my hand!)

I seriously cannot help it.  I see something that needs fixed and I feel compelled to go after it, to help make it better.  I am dying to apply my best medicine to heal the hurt, correct the wrong, shelter the exposed or the vulnerable.  Still, I often only make things worse as much as my intent is to help!

(Where was it first said that ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions’ ?)

Maybe I have this need simply because I am a woman.  We women tend to admit our obsession with fixing things. Possibly it is a flaw in the human condition, born from the desire to make something better, cover imperfections, put our stamp of correction, our touch, on as many things as possible.  But for what reason? Well, I know that in the times I have been fairly successful in fixing something, I have gained a degree of satisfaction in those accomplishments.  It just feels better!    Ah! There!  I did it!  I stand back, admire, heave a sigh of deep self-gratitude, and move on to the next project!

How we love fixing!

We will fix you something to eat, fix your hair, fix a drink for you, and fix up the bed.  Fixing suits us.

Left out of control, we also become fixed on some things.  Fixated on an imperfection, the faults of others. Ours, our children’s, husband’s, virtually anyone in our circle is a potential target for fixing at this point.

(Here, Honey, let me fix your tie. Mmm. There. Much better!)

Sounds innocent, doesn’t it?  Even as considerate and helpful as we may be, the truth is, we are filling a power need.  Ultimately, if we feed this monster, it can breed more intense control and manipulation.

 A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Once again, I find God’s beautiful opposite game.  You know, when we are weak, then we are strong.  We must be made low to be raised up, die to live, give to receive.  It seems that His ways definitely are not my ways; His thoughts are SO far above my thoughts.  His plans are far greater, much better for me and intensely more gratifying to my soul.  I am constantly learning to turn over my plans to my Father!  Often, I wonder if I’ll ever take my hands off and truly rest in His perfect ways.

When I stop trying to fix things, and take them to my Father; He will do it for me.

When I wait for His answers, my best attempts seem silly and childlike.

     Best of all, when I step out of the way and let God have His way, He is glorified in the doing!  

Glorify Yourself in my life, precious Lord.  I place all of the broken parts at Your feet.  

Take this mess and create miraculous beauty, as ONLY You can do!

At the end of another year of blessings and miracles being made out of trials and difficulties, I lift my hands to praise my God.

He is forever faithful to create masterpieces out of our broken parts!

With Love & Belief,

Jill