Taco Bed
It was her first night in her new house. Not all of the furniture had arrived yet, but she had an old roll-away bed that had been bought from a hotel years before that she could sleep on until her bed arrived. Normally her home was filled with people and animals, but this particular night, it was just her in the big, two-story, nearly one hundred-year-old home.
It had been hard to settle her mind for sleep. Sorting and unpacking had kept her busy. A myriad of thoughts bustled through her head. Finally, through sheer exhaustion she sought sleep on the lumpy bed.
Her husband and son had assured her that the bed was in perfect working order. As she lay down, it wasn't the most comfortable resting place. It seemed a bit "off," but she presumed it was from the ancient mattress--and maybe a slanting floor. Sleep claimed her after tossing and turning to find a comfortable position.
Something snapped. The sound was loud enough that it woke her. As she shifted position to listen for the source of the noise, her bed shifted. With a speed she didn't think she was capable of, her feet lifted straight into the air as she doubled in half--folded like a taco--the bed had snapped shut.
Trying to catch her breath, the rapid movement of the bed had closed her in bringing her feet and head together--at least she had been sleeping on her back. However, she was STUCK. How in the world would she ever get out of this mess? The bed folded around her. She couldn't get any leverage to open in back up. No one else was in the house . . . help.
Whimpering quietly she tried to figure out how she had gotten into such a mess. She could wiggle slightly, but the bed was not moving. The absurdity of her situation caused a case of the giggles. She couldn't reach her phone . . . and who would she call anyway. She was new in town and didn't know many people. I mean "Who Are You Going to Call? Bedbusters?"
Wiggling about she finally slithered sideways so that instead of a taco she looked more like a foot-long hot dog in a regular bun. Then with creative movement--grabbing, pushing, and pulling she manage to worm her way out of the bed and onto the floor--feeling much like an inch worm. Once there--she collapsed into another fit of giggles.
Her predicament--though startling and uncomfortable . . . well maybe embarrassing too--was really not all that bad. The locking mechanism that held the frame flat had broken. Age and use had taken its toll on the ancient bed. Her constant tossing and turning was just enough movement that the weakening mechanism had snapped, closing the bed and her in it. She had simply taken the bed for granted without checking it for wear and tear or maintaining it.
Sometimes that is how we are with God. We take God for granted. We know God is there when we have a need. The rest of the time, we just sort of put God in storage--only getting God out when we feel like it.
Relationships, however, take work. You can go for periods of time without investing in the relationship, but eventually, you have a need and you pick it back up again. Most of the time, it is alright. You can continue as if there has been no gap, or catch up on one another's lives again. However, sometimes, during the interim, the wear and tear takes its toll and the relationship snaps--leaving you surprised, frightened, confused, or hurt.
To walk with God; to have a healthy relationship with God, there should be an investment of oneself. Respect, honesty, trust, and communication are just some of the traits of a healthy relationship. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell us to "Love the Lord with all your heart, your mind, and your soul." These lead to a healthy relationship with God.
Sure, relationships take an investment. But the payoff is abundant. Luke 6:38 tells us "If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap. The way you treat others is the way you will be treated." God help us to treat you with love, respect, and honesty.
Faithful One, we so often take you for granted. We don't spend time or make the effort to be with you or allow you in our lives. We expect you always to be there whenever we want you to be, yet leave us to our own ways unless we call. When we fail; when we snap and find ourselves in a taco bed, it is easier to say you failed us than to examine how we cared for our relationship with you. Forgive us. Teach us. Help us to grow to love you with all our heart, mind, and soul. So be it. Amen.
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