“Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Look, the fire, and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (Genesis 22:7 NASB)
At some time in life, I’m sure that you have heard the adage, “If you don’t get it right, try and try again.” I thought one “try” would be sufficient, but this week I learned the extra “try” was needed in the saying. Here is how I learned about “try, try again.” I went to the grocery store Monday to get food for a few days. One of the main meals I was planning for Tuesday was chicken salad. I do my shopping, list in hand, and I was checking things off as I found them and loaded them in my cart. Admittedly, I got distracted looking at pictures, pillows, and plant stands…oh my! I found myself in the aisle with make-up to coverup, cleaning supplies to clean up, and clothing to dress up. Thinking I had everything, I go through the self-checkout line. I take my purchases to the car and head home. My wife helps me unload the groceries and with that super vision that only spouses have, and she asks me a question similar to Isaac’s question quoted from Genesis in the opening verse. She says, “I see the Miracle Whip, the Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise, the Splenda, and the grapes, but where is the chicken?”
Tuesday morning I head out around 9:00 a.m. to “try again” to pick up the chicken for the chicken salad. I picked up some other items, and yes, I went back to the pillow section and picked up two perfect pillows. I go through the self-checkout line, bag my purchases, and load them in the car. The adage above becomes applicable. I did not wait until I got home this time, thank you Jesus! I ask myself, “But where is the chicken?” I go back in the store, knowing the customer service people are watching me, wondering what I forgot. Security cameras are probably keeping an eye on my too, inasmuch as I was all dressed in black, and they might have wanted to make sure I wasn’t a greedy thief. I get it! Nevertheless, I do the “try, try, again” thing, quickly getting the chicken, the main ingredient for my chicken salad. Wait a minute, I hear some reader saying, “duh!” Smile!
It all worked out for good for it gave me a lesson applicable to our efforts to live a life pleasing to the Lord. If you don’t get it right the first time, or even the second time, “try, try again.” Keep striving to get it right. And in all your tries, lift your eyes to heaven and thank God for giving you, graciously, another chance to get it right. Have a wonderful Thursday! Be blessed!
“No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don’t stay down long; soon they’re up on their feet, while the wicked end up flat on their faces.” (Proverbs 23:16 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King