Mighty Mountain Mover

It’s easy to see the mountains we need moved “out there” in our circumstances, but sometimes we need internal mountains moved instead!

That’s where I am today.

Following a bit of overnight introspection after losing it yesterday over something trivial, I’ve had a bit of an epiphany.

For me, tasks communicate.

Tasks done well for others communicates respect and consideration. This has been a part of my mental framework for as long as I can remember.

I communicate caring for my father every morning when I place his coffee mug on the counter with the handle facing left, next to the sugar bowl with the spoon facing the same way. Can you guess why? He uses his left hand for everything after he lost his right one years ago.

I communicate love for my husband every night when I make his tea, wrapping the tea tag around his handle the way he likes it.

Tasks can also communicate the opposite. Tasks not completed as expected or not done at all are understood as coming from a lack of caring or consideration for others.

Since I have this mental framework that tasks communicate value, I have a surprisingly deep emotional attachment to them.

And so here we are at my epiphany, dawning on gray hair after 52 years of this life.

You may wonder why this comes as a surprise to me. Well, you know how we sometimes forget that not everyone sees the world through the same filters we do?

That’s my epiphany. Tasks don’t hold the same meaning or carry the same emotional weight for others as they do for me. Mind blown. Seriously.

I have taken offense many times when I “heard” that either I or someone I love doesn’t deserve respect or consideration, when in fact that wasn’t the message being delivered at all!

I’ve realized that I have a mental mountain that needs tearing down and moved out of the way so I can “hear” clearly, but I need help after so many years of seeing tasks through my own filter.

Thank goodness I’ve got a Mighty Mountain Mover who’s on my side!

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

Jesus, in Mark 11:22-24 NLT

How can I believe he’ll move this mighty mountain and help me understand others’ intentions with grace and mercy? Because I know this mountain of misunderstanding is in the way of my becoming more like him.

I am not what I was, and I am still not what I will be. But I am a work in progress!

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6

With his help, I will learn to listen clearly. What a lesson to learn as we approach Christmas, wouldn’t you agree?

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Now it’s your turn!

What is an epiphany you’ve had about how the way you see things differs from how others perceive them? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

I’m praying that your Christmas Season is full of hearing from our Wonderful Counselor!