ON THE PORCH
HOLDING THE RAG
AUGUST 15, 2022
Homework had been completed, the chores were finished, and supper was devoured. When all were satisfied, the kiddos asked to be excused from the table to settle in front of the TV for their evening show. Mom started gathering dishes and running dish water. One child saw how tired she was, so he stayed to help clean up. After clearing the table, he grabbed a rag and started wiping it off.
“I don’t understand why you do that,” Mom said.
“Do what?”
“You take a perfectly folded dishrag and unfold it, then you scrunch it up to wipe with.”
“I don’t understand why you do that,” he replied.
“What?”
“You get upset at me for being the one standing here holding the rag.”
Mom paused for a moment and responded, “Wipe any way you want.”
Benny has used this illustration before when preaching.
Last week, I felt terrible. When I feel bad, I tend to draw into myself and not want anything from anybody. “Just leave me alone” is the vibe I transmit loud and clear.
Benny could see I obviously needed help, but as much as he wanted to take care of me, I refused assistance. It wasn’t intentional, but it hurt just the same.
**Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance] from them. They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 1 Samuel 17:17-20
In these verses, David stopped tending his own sheep to obey his father and take his brothers food and supplies. He literally pushed the pause button to his own life and dropped everything he was doing. There were no Uber Eats or Door Dashes at that time. Families had to provide for their fathers and sons who were out fighting, so Jesse sent food with David, and expected him to return with word on how the battle was going.
**Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.
Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.”
David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.”
When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
“Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 1 Samuel 17:21-29
“Now what have I done????” Obviously, this was not the first time David had endured his brothers’ wrath. That comment shows it was probably a pattern. Last week wasn’t the only time I found myself lashing out at Benny when he would try to support me. I withdrew into myself and determined that I didn’t need help. I was sour and sullen, and just wanted to be left alone. Yet when the phone rang, I’d answer with the sweetest voice you ever heard.
Why do I find myself laying into the ones who try to make life easier for me, then putting my sweet mask on for those who don’t benefit me at all? I might say, “Oh, I’m sorry. Excuse me,” to a stranger I will never see again, then “Move!” after bumping into one of those who love me the most. It doesn’t make sense. Honestly, that’s absurd, right?
Because Benny is the one around me day in and day out now, he normally gets the rant and rave. I am truly trying to start taking my frustrations straight to God, and not spew at the one who wakes up every single day of my life wanting to take care of me.
David was obedient to his father. He put his life on hold to assist his family. He was not at fault showing up on the battlefield. Yet the moment his brothers saw him, they started demeaning and undermining his intentions, even accusing him of spying. They got irate that he would dare show his face.
This morning, I ‘d like to stop and allow God to show me who’s holding my rag, only wanting to offer assistance. I want to be grateful to and for those people who are in the background of my life, loving on me even when I am hard to love.
** Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. I Corinthians 13:4
LORD, lately I’ve been sick and tired. Now I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. While we were home together, Benny only to aid me in my weariness. I’ve taken frustrations out on him I should not have. He has been the one holding the rag, and instead of being grateful, I’ve been belligerent and stubborn. He isn’t the only one, either. Give me Your eyes, LORD. When others have the best intentions in mind for me, help me recognize that and be thankful. Allow me to deal them gratitude instead of grief. Lead me daily as I walk intentionally, making the necessary changes to better my attitude and my Spirit. Thank You, LORD, for those who are willing to hold the rag for me, even when I’m a pain in the butt. Thank You for not giving up on any of us but wanting only Your best in us always. In Your Precious name, amen.
ON THE PORCH 