Separation Anxiety
"Cheese and Crackers!" The words echoed off my walls as I yelled them in frustration. Self control was fleeting as I kept myself from throwing the screwdriver across the room and giving up completely.
I had decided to help my husband out by installing the new door knob myself, how hard could it possibly be, right? The included instructions were apparently written by someone with super power eyes and the knack to discourage even the most enthusiastic learner. I went to the internet and looked up a few how-to videos starting with the three minute version. I was assured that the task would only take about five minutes and all I needed was a screw driver.
About five minutes into the change over and no where near done, I realized I had removed the knob while the door was closed. If you have ever changed a door knob you are probably shaking your head right about now. Here was my first lesson; the door must be open because if you remove the inside door knob while it is closed how will you get the door open to remove the outside door knob?
With pliers in hand, I opened the door and successfully removed the rest of the knob. Lesson two came when I realized it is possible to install some parts upside down, don't tighten the screws all the way so you can easily take it all apart and start all over again.
After taking a break and watching the eight and fifteen minute versions for this five minute task I started again. When I was finally finished my victory dance was short lived when the handle thingy wouldn't latch to the door hole thingy and I could pull it open without turning the handle. In case your wondering this is exactly how I explained it to my husband when I called him for any advice he could offer.
Next step, remove the new knob, replace it with the old! The "cheese and crackers" came ten minutes later when I dropped the screw on the ground again for the sixth time! All in all my five minute task took about forty five minutes and led me to a frustration level that mirrored an angry five year old.
This is a great example of life; our intentions are good, we use the right tools, but the process takes too long, gets all messy, then we end up back at step one feeling defeated.
In Philippians chapter three Paul encourages believers not to give up, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (vs. 13,14)
If life was always easy and without mess-ups we wouldn't need to forget and press on. My whole reasoning for installing the knob was not because I had any desire to learn about knobs, but I did have a great desire to show my husband I love him and wanted to please him. Even though I was unsuccessful in my attempts he still loves me. He would never reject me because of my failure and if I let him he would show me how to do it correctly.
Romans 8:35 asks, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" Verse 37 gives us the answer we all desire; "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." How are we conquerors if we are naked, in trouble or danger? It's all in how our father sees us.
Verses thirty eight and thirty nine give a long list of adversaries that try to knock us off our feet, most times they are successful.
We will fail and giving up may seem like the only option but one thing we can count on beyond any doubt is that God will always be there for us. He is lovingly tenacious in his pursuit for us and refuses to allow anything to separate us from him. He will always love us and see us as victorious even when we are in the midst of frustration and failure.
