It was a simple task, just sew a seam on a pillow. Easy peezy! Except my sewing machine hadn’t been used in over a year and was now in an inconvenient place. I couldn’t swing the cover completely open, so when I opened it as far as it would go, it promptly fell on my head. There was no thread. Not a problem, just more inconvenience. It was too far from the outlet, but two extension cords did the trick.
I’ve always had a hard time threading the thing, but it was especially difficult with the cover standing upright, not allowing me to see the eye of the needle. And then it happened. The needle fell out.
As I said, it had been over a year since I used it, and I’m finding that those memory files which are not uses regularly seem to be sealed. I couldn’t remember which way the dumb thing was attached. No big deal, right? WRONG! I attached it, but after a few inches of sewing, it wouldn’t pick up the bobbin thread.
Just a little thing. I finally got it right and, zip, zip, the seam was done. What should have been a five-minute project turned into a nightmare of frustration.
I remember a pastor recounting his frustration when he didn’t put money into the parking meter. After all, he was just running a book into the library. When he returned to his car and found he had a five-dollar fine, he was angry. Then he said this: “But the bigger lesson was realizing how little it took for me to get angry and react in a sinful way.”
Ditto! Thankfully, I was in the basement storage room when I had my fit, and only hubby was home to hear it. But no, Someone else heard it too.
These past few weeks, the Lord has been emphasizing this lesson to me: The Holy Spirit lives in me. He is the Paraclete—the one who sticks “closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). When I act like an idiot (sorry, but there’s no better way to state the facts), is the Holy Spirit grieved?
We’re told in Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV) not to “grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ouch! It’s a high mandate, but one that brings so many blessings. Can I do this—stay controlled by the Spirit when even the littlest trial comes my way? I’m working on it! Is there any help? YES!
I love the hymn “He Will Hold Me Fast,” written by Ada R. Habershon, and the lovely tune the Gettys have added. (If you are a crazy history nut like me, you might enjoy this article about the hymn’s history.) He WILL hold us fast, even in the little things, if we will only surrender to His leading and follow.
When I fear my faith will fail,
Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail,
He can hold me fast!
Refrain:
He will hold me fast,
He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so,
He will hold me fast.
2 I could never keep my hold,
He must hold me fast;
For my love is often cold,
He must hold me fast.
3 I am precious in His sight,
He will hold me fast;
Those He saves are His delight,
He will hold me fast.
4 He’ll not let my soul be lost,
Christ will hold me fast;
Bought by Him at such a cost,
He will hold me fast.
Beyond Common Sense 