Lessons from a potato

"various trials"

James 1:2

I feel like a potato today.  Mashed.  But in a good way.  In a trusting way, if you will.

In the past two weeks, I've gotten three pieces of news that have been rather life-altering.  A close friend of mine who announced she is moving.  Another friend who has to make a painful decision because of the divorce she's going through.  And then a family member with a health scare.  Plus the craziness of Christmas and New Years. 

With each new "discovery," I felt like I had barely had time to react and adjust, before the next one came at me.  I wouldn't say I'm reeling, but I do know what a pinball feels like.  Each announcement called for action on my part, but also acceptance.  I just had to be at peace with each thing, because there's nothing I can do about it.

And then today I was making mashed potatoes.  I was at my mom's house, and using her masher, which is different from mine.  I have one of those wire "back and forth" types, and mom has the "waffle" type.  Either way, I love mashing potatoes.  I love that when you mash down on the potatoes, they go partway through the holes, but kind of stop.  You have to mash the next potato to force the potatoes that were first mashed, to get out of the way.  Do you see what I mean?   Moving on to the next potato finishes the job on the first potato.

I know.  This is a weird one.  But I just call 'em as I see 'em.  

And it seemed to me that these events in my life are sort of the same way.  Each one might have taken some time for me to fully wrap my brain around, but each was being forced through my mind and heart by the next one.   I know God doesn't always work that way in our lives.  Sometimes He lets us ruminate on something big before He lets the next something big hit us.  But I saw this "mashing" as being part of His plan for me.  Trust Me; I'm handling it.  Move on.  So I did.  And I am. 

So I've got peace.  His peace.  Now with a little butter and sour cream, I'll be good to go. 

~ "May the Lord of peace Himself 

give you peace always 

in every way" ~

2 Thessalonians 3:16