Lent Day 21

Yesterday I wore wooly tights under my work trousers - Im a cold body, always have been, and so quite often try to layer up to conserve heat.   The only problem was that I didnt realise when I put them on that there was a hole in the toe of the right foot.

I started to realise it halfway through the morning when my toes were getting sore as they were poking through the hole.  But of course I had to continue on with my day.  Didnt have spare socks or tights with me.  And even if I had, the faff of getting the holy tights off was too much to contemplate so I carried on with my day in discomfort.   By the time I got home my toes were really sore.  However I tried to move the hole round to another place it worked its way back again.   The tights are now in the bin.  On examination there was a hole developing in the heel as well!!

It seems an odd thing to write about but it got me to thinking how often I put up with things which are uncomfortable, ill-fitting, not right just because I cant be bothered to fix them.  Or dont have the time or energy.  It's partly a cultural thing I think - that thing about tolerance and stiff- upper lip and not making a fuss.  But that is so contrary to how God wants us to be.  He wants us to be holy as He is holy.  To eradicate sin and bad habits, to strive for perfection and godliness not just put up with the stuff which isnt quite right.  He wants us to work out our salvation in fear and trembling, recognising that He is a righteous and just God who does not deal in half measures and ' making do'.

Of course Im not talking about socks.   Im talking about character.  My temper.  My laziness.  My tendency to judge and be critical.  My greed and self serving nature.   All of these attributes are uncomfortable for me, but so often I just ignore that feeling of discomfort and carry on with my day.  Every time I refuse to stop to deal with the ' hole' in my character that hole just gets bigger.  And more uncomfortable.