“I will not play tug o' war. I'd rather play hug o' war.
Where everyone hugs instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles
and rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins,
and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins.”
- Shel Silverstein
Playing “tug of war” was always so much fun when we were kids. The goal: to be the first team to pull a member of the other team over the line, or cause the other team to let go of the rope. This week life seems to be a “tug of war” for so many people I know. There lives are a mixture of extremes... joy and sadness, peace and chaos, celebrations and loss, blessings and struggles. Sometimes I look around and wonder if peace will ever come again.
“... a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them...” - these words sure sound like a "tug of war" to me, but they are actually the words of Ecclesiastes 3. "A time for everything,” seems like a fairly simple concept, but not so when it comes to our everyday lives.
As Christians we have our own person “tug of war” going on inside of our hearts, minds and bodies. We spend time praying to God when the words seem impossible. We cast our worries upon Him, when He seems so far away. We surrender ourselves to Him, even when our faith has been shaken. But, just like the game of “tug of war” when we were kids, the rewards are great for those who believe. We are determined to win (overcome, survive, succeed, prevail, triumph) and our victory is found as God reveals more of Himself to us.
Below is a poem that so beautifully expresses the feelings of “life’s tug of war,” enjoy...
Life's Tug Of War
Author Unknown
Life can seem ungrateful and not always kind.
Life can pull at your heartstrings and play with your mind.
Life can be blissful and happy and free.
Life can put beauty in the things that you see.
Life can place challenges right at your feet.
Life can make good of the hardships we meet.
Life can overwhelm you and make your head spin.
Life can make good of the hardships we meet.
Life can overwhelm you and make your head spin.
Life can reward those determined to win.
Life can be hurtful and not always fair.
Life can surround you with people who care.
Life clearly does offer its ups and its downs.
Life's days can bring you both smiles and frowns.
Life teaches us to take the good with the bad.
Life is a mixture of happy and sad. So...
Take the life that you have and give it your best.
Think positive, be happy let God do the rest.
Take the challenges that life has laid at your feet.
Take pride and be thankful for each one you meet.
To yourself give forgiveness if you stumble and fall.
Take each day that is dealt you and give it your all.
Take the love that you're given and return it with care.
Have faith that when needed it will always be there.
Take time to find the beauty in the things that you see.
Take life's simple pleasures let them set your heart free.
The idea here is simply to even the score.
As you are met and faced with Life's Tug Of War.
Here are some encouraging words to help you find some peace, love and sparkle...
Spirit of Peace (joy) = delight, happiness, pleasure, enjoyment, bliss, wonder
Inner Peace (God’s love) = devotion, passion, adoration, commitment
Sharing the Peace (sparkle) = shine, glitter, glisten, flicker, twinkle, shimmer
There are many hurting people in the world, so if your heart happens to be overflowing with happiness... find someone that might want to play “hug of war.”
This weekend why not spend time resting in His loving arms... feel His comfort. Remember that God loves to play "hug of war" too!
God’s Peace, Donna Weaver
Heavenly Father, Thank You for always being there no matter what challenges we face in our lives. We know that you will never fail us, even in our most intense trials. We don’t always understand why certain things happen; however, we do not have to understand, because You are God, and You are in control. Fill the empty places in our hearts with more of Your Spirit, Lord. Amen.
1 comment:
Donna the tug of war I feel the most is being in the world but not of the world. I notice it the most at my work. We all must live as we are in our lives, but I do long for a heavely country where GOD will reign and there will be peace! Blessings girl!
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