I read a story years ago about a poor farmer in Mexico. He slammed a pick ax into the ground on his property and shortly watched the beginning of a massive volcano. Out of that flat field grew a genuine and huge volcano. A similar event took place on one of the islands off Greenland. No, a Mexican farmer didn’t plunge his pick ax into the ground, but a volcano was observed from it’s first birth pangs until it reached a huge height.

     Once in awhile, I come across a church sign with a funny and/or thought provoking line on it. Here’s the latest one that intrigues me. The sign at a church on Beneva Road said, "Go Ahead And Make A Mountain Out Of That Mole Hill; You’ve Ultimately Got To Climb It!"

     The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I don’t know how often you’ve done that very thing, but I know that I have for sure.

     Perhaps a coworker utters a snide or catty remark. They may have meant it as just a little aside to needle or aggravate us, but our mind begins to work the mole hill. We allow our resentment to build and build and build some more. Pretty soon, something that should have been overlooked after a BRIEF consideration, becomes a Mt. Everest in our minds. We begin thinking of the best way to "one up" the person who started all this nonsense that has caused us so much grief.

     Maybe we hear a back room rumor about someone in our department losing their job. Without the tiniest shred of evidence, we begin to feed on the rumor and the mole hill begins growing to enormous size. We’re almost at the point of just resigning from our job and getting it all over with - all without any attempt to validate of the rumor. Perhaps it turns out that it was just that - a rumor and their was nothing to fear at all.

     Try this one on for size. Our spouse seems particularly happy to see another man/woman at a party to which we’ve gone. Now, we don’t have the slightest reason to suspect that our spouse has ever thought of straying from the ol’ marriage vows. However, that smile just seemed a bit too friendly and our mind begins to work on the mole hill. The tiny itty bitty mole hill begins it’s relentless and inevitable journey to full and majestic maturity.

     Now, I realize that there are many other examples of the way mole hills become mountains. I also realize that people DO lose their jobs with or without a rumor, that folks do make very unfriendly remarks, and spouses DO cheat on each other. However, there are ways to find out if rumors are true. Our failure often centers on our own lack of confidence and self-esteem. This makes us more susceptible to believing and taking offense at little mole hills. We also seldom track down the rumor(s) (if the subject matter is really important to us and is going to cause us building grief) so we can completely and totally put it out of our minds.

     Kindly remember that we’re free to build immense mountains out of microscopic mole hills, BUT, WE’VE GOT TO CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN. Choices and options - go figger! (g)

     If you’d like to share your observations with me, just hit my name in the lower corner of this page. I’ll get back to you SOON!

Responses to "ERIC RAY and the MICROWAVE....

- Thanks for the uplifting message. Oh, how dependent I am on the "buttons" of my life. Yes, from water to electricity to automatic car windows...you name it and there's a button for it. Jesus is such a close friend though and when the buttons of life don't work...we know that we can depend on Him to walk beside us through our uncomfortable circumstances. I'm still praying for you and Pat and am confident that God has an answer that is greater than anything we can imagine.

- Thanks for including me on the e mail list. I really did enjoyed the Inside Out, but more importantly seeing your grandson, Eric RAY. He is a darling baby and I can tell by the way Grandpa is holding him that you are so proud of him, and also your son who is his father.

     We know, firsthand, that God is so Good, and we hope that He will show you and Pat the kindness you deserve and get you a new home or the money to fix up the one you have. The cell is neat and nice, but I don't want you to have to spend the rest of your life there....and I am sure that would not be your heart's desire either. LOL

- Thanks for sending me a picture of your room. I really makes me wonder why I have so much clutter and junk I don't need. I can't sell it and I am ashamed to give it away. I wish my house looked as neat as your room. I think tomorrow I will start taking some of it to the trash can.

     I will continue to pray for our Lord to fill your needs. This mildew thing must have something good come from it because the Bible say "All things work to the good of them who love the Lord." I think you fit that description.

- Ah, prison guys would, uh, kill to have a cell like that. I see you make your bed exactly like I do. :) Peanut butter is fabulous, so glad to see you at least have that. And you have nice looking furniture. Most of mine is used and abused variety.

     I am reading the responses on inside out. We all WANT to send you money/space etc. Are all your friends POOR?! :)

     Eric RAY is looking wonderful. Babies & children usually are very photogenic. Just tell Eric Ray that you purposely were trying to look "bad" so that he would look really really good. I mean later when he grows up more and sees the photo..... but he will think you look fine actually. He sees you through loving eyes of course. :)

     Imitating Jesus. Woo, boy. To be like a perfect Person like that is the tallest order I know. I think about the fact that He didn't overeat. Walked a whole lot. Told incredible parables. Didn't complain. Prayed a whole lot (probably what we should imitate first) so He knew the Father's will, and did it no matter what. He went to weddings. :) He ate fruit, fish, grain, bread.... olive oil? Healthy eater.

     He didn't own much. Not even clothes. He trusted Father completely. WHAT a role model we have.

- Imitating Jesus sounds like a lofty goal, but one way to be more like Him is to listen past what the other person is saying and find the hurt. Maybe Jesus will show us a way to meet that need. Maybe, just by listening we meet that person's most urgent need. Only God knows.

- To even attempt to be an imitator of Jesus Christ, there is one thing I must do at the start of each day, and that is to pray "Thy will be done today, Father, not mine." Throughout my day, I must desire more than all else to be released from the bondage of self, to die to myself for the sake of Christ. There is no way I can do this on my own, but I've learned I don't have to do it on my own. Step by step, day to day, all I have to be is available and willing to allow the Living Christ to accomplish His will in and through me.

- What a good picture of both of you! He looks like a real keeper! Isn't it wonderful to see their unbridled curiosity connected to their powers of observation? I can only imagine the Colorado scenes you are describing. It sounds wonderful, though. I especially appreciate your invitation and reminder to be "imitators of Him." I hope I never lose the sense of wonder and curiosity I see in our grandsons. Life takes on a completely new perspective when viewed through the lens of those young "becomers."

     Please also know that you continue in our prayers. I am ready to celebrate with you when the answers come, and choose to celebrate His abilities even before He has completed His good work.