Certain men in the Gaddis clan have been accused of telling you how to make a watch when ask the time. You ask my dad for driving directions and you’ll know what lane has the worst pot holes. I hope I don’t fall into that group, but I know I have been accused of not letting go. If I get onto something I wear it out, like a lion chasing a wounded wilder beast. At the danger of reinforcing that accusation, white socks post number 3.
I am sure you understand from previous posts I wanted to prepare for worship and the symbol of my spiritual readiness would be evident by my white socks. Come Easter my preparation was for naught as the only clean white socks found belonged to someone else. The simile to my cleanliness before God belonged to someone else. That thought was very profound to me.
Since Easter, I have noticed other people’s socks. Some wearing colored ones, surely they are hiding something, some, like me ,wearing white ones in very differing shades of dull and dingy, almost but not quite clean, some even possessing a dirty halo just above the shoe line. Others stained from the coffee they blotted out of the carpet a few weeks ago. (ok those I only imagined, based on past experience). Other people’s socks have become very noticeable to me, why?
It is that way with my life, doesn’t matter what I do, am I better than the other guy? At work do I outperform my peers? in my hobby I have been known to compare my latest remodel project to other work I see, is my tile straighter, my paint job neater? And in recreation, can I run faster than anyone my age, size etc.? Did I at least finish before DeAnn? Running I am told is a sport where you compete with your last time. It is not about comparing with others, it is about constantly improving, consistently doing your best, still I look at other people’s times.
Think I was being told this week this addiction with comparison has spilled over in to my faith. Am I good enough? Am I clean enough? Surely I am cleaner than most!. Isaiah 64:6 informs us, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” I will never have clean socks before God, but I work to constantly improve, to do my best. Forgive me if once in awhile I glance at your socks.
You need a new pair of white socks? Start with a patch of dirt in the south, Not too hilly, not too flat. Well watered but hot dry climate. You plant cotton seed about 1 in deep…..
David
