Living on Sabbath Time: Day 27/31

ourCOG June 26, 2023 5:18 am #ourCOG 54

Numbers 16:24 “You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!”

I love a story that President Reagan told showing how he learned the need for decision making early in his life. When he was young, a kind aunt took him to have a pair of shoes custom made. The shoemaker asked him if he wanted his shoes to have square toes or round toes, but Reagan couldn’t seem to make up his mind.

“Come back in a day or two and let me know what you decide,” the shoemaker told him. But Reagan didn’t go back. When the man saw him on the street and again asked him what kind of shoes he wanted, Reagan said, “I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

“Very well,” the man responded. “Your shoes will be ready tomorrow.”

When Reagan went to pick them up, he discovered that the toe of one shoe was round and the other was square. Reagan later said, “Looking at those shoes taught me a lesson. If you don’t make your own decisions, somebody else makes them for you.

: David Lee & Ella Grace both at nine months. (Just in case you didn’t know, this blog is really about having a way for a proud papa to brag on his grandchildren!)

I thought about Reagan’s story when I read today’s verse. Old Moses was having a tough time with some of the Levites. They were like Reagan’s shoemaker, they were making decision for Moses that were not in his best interest.

As you go through this day I want to remind you that being busy does not necessarily mean that you are making progress. There are only a few things (maybe only one) that you must deal with today that will truly matter long term. If you are not careful, you can get so involved in lesser things that you allow others to make decisions about the things that really, really matter to you.

I remind you, don’t let someone else hug your kids for you. Don’t allow someone else to make your spouse feel like the most special person in the world. Don’t let someone else decide whether or not you are a success. Don’t let someone else take it upon themselves to decide whether or not you are going to have a good day; you decide! You take action. You step up and take care of those things that really matter. One hundred years from now, this day – with all its little traffic jams, headaches and hard to get along with people – will be long forgotten, but there are a few things that will matter even then; don’t let someone take it upon themselves to take care of those matters in your place – YOU do it!

Blessings and Godspeed,

dlkemp