Last night we had an overnight guest. I knew for some time he would be here and planned accordingly. I washed the sheets, put out clean towels and straightened the guest suite. (I have recently redecorated the guest room and remodeled the guest bath, so I was anxious for someone outside of the family to get to use it!) I put fresh blueberry muffins under the cloche and put pretty sunflower plates and matching glasses right by the muffins. Nearby I had grapefruit and in the refrigerator were several types of juice and milk.
Tim and our guest arrived late last night from a short business trip. I visited with them for a brief time before we all headed off to sleep. As usually happens, our guest left very early before I got up. When I finally stirred, I noticed that one muffin was gone, but all of the plates and glasses were still sitting there. When I went to the guest room it looked basically untouched except for the pillows being stacked and slept on and one face towel possibly used.
When I questioned my husband about things he said he just gave our guest an old plastic glass out of the cupboard for him to drink from and a chipped old plate for his muffin. He also said that this fellow was happy to sleep on top of the covers, he had done so at the hotel on their trip as well. When I frowned, Tim said that “guys are just different.”
I walked away shaking my head. I know they are- but really??
It made me think about life. We have a beautiful world laid out for us and we spend our time using all of the chipped and old stuff. What I mean is- how often do we only see the bad stuff in life instead of looking for the good? How often do we argue when we could skip that and find something pleasant to say? Did you go play in the snow yesterday? When you see a flower, do you take a minute to really look at it, smell it? Do you rush through days waiting to get to some other day deemed “better” or do you enjoy each day??
Why do we not use the good dishes every day? Do we think we don’t deserve it? Why don’t we “hunker down” into the cool, clean sheets and really snuggle into each moment? Are we afraid we will mess something up or that we will be too comfortable?
We have a life we have been given and a planet to inhabit that is wonderful beyond belief. What are we waiting for?
OK, maybe you are in a circumstance that isn’t the best, or maybe you don’t have fine dishes or soft sheets. Maybe you don’t see a single thing beautiful in your life- nobody, nothing. Now think about it- is that really true? There is no view outside your window, nothing great in your life? Is it not there or are you just not seeing it?
I laid out my finest for my guest and he chose not to use it. Is the finest laid out for you and you just don’t see it? Or do you just refuse to use it? Or do you think you don’t deserve it? I don’t think any of us probably really deserve it. But I laid out my best and I am a little disappointed that it didn’t get enjoyed. Maybe God really wants us to enjoy and care for what he laid out for us. Maybe He thinks we do deserve it.
