Daily Wisdom 05-25-2002 Out Of Whack

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Out Of Whack

We all know how various forms of machinery such as a pop or candy machine, can get out of whack, thus be in need of professional repair, but did you know your life could become just as easily off kilter? Sometimes, all we need is a good jolt to set us back on the right path, similar to how some people give a faulty coin-operated machine a good wrap.

We become imbalanced when we allow ourselves to be so heavily involved in a particular corner of life that the scales subtly begin to lean in favor of this one issue, often, allowing this topic to dominate our thoughts, even actions.

How many people do you know that are workaholics? Even something as necessary and noble as "work" can slowly turn a good thing in to a medium that allows parent to child communication to be hindered, wives to become frustrated and embittered over a spouse who is never there, and a husband who begins to perceive his only purpose in life as that of provider. "Work" has thus replaced joy, laughter, sharing and intimacy.

What about fantasy and dreams? God made man with a brain that is capable of awesome intellectual abilities, including our ability to imagine, but what happens when this gift is continually misused, such as in the case of sexual fantasy with someone other than your spouse? The woman in the below story can answer that.

Although Laurie had been married with children for many years, she never fully emotionally let go of the love she had for an old flame. When times grew stressful in her own marriage, Laurie would sink deep within her thoughts, envisioning exotic getaways with her "dream man."

"Dream" is right, for that is exactly what it was; a figment on her own imagination. If truth be-known, while Laurie held a secret torch for this past love, in "his" mind, Laurie was nothing more than a distant memory.

What part of "your" life might be out of whack due to some sort of imbalance as obsessive hungers, ungodly thought processes, or the scales of work or play leaning too heavily in one direction? Can you see how these behaviors are not helping, but hurting you; physically, emotionally, even spiritually?

In the above story, what Laurie perceived as harmless fantasy, was not so harmless after all. Her many years of comparison; measuring her former flame to her current husband, had not only furthered her frustrations, but caused her very spirit to be divided. No longer did her spouse have her "all," but a piece of her was always with another man. Had she continued on this way, chances are, Laurie's marriage would be doomed to fail.

Just as that old pop or candy machine sometimes needs a good kick in the side, so too, do we sometimes need a jolt of hard reality. Some people do not face this reality until it's too late or there is a death, sickness or traumatic life circumstance, but thankfully, a relationship with God can be the most continuous wake-up call! Getting in to the habit of daily communication (prayer), with the Creator, is one of the best ways to remind ourselves to keep that scale straight, and with God in the center.

Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2003 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living Ecstatic Loving: How to have more peace and joy in marriage, and life in general by walking in harmony with God," and "Son Salutations: A refreshing collection of modern inspirations for those who seek God each day." For more information, visit her web page at www.angelfire.com/mi/melschurr