For years, The Sweetheart carried change in his right pocket. Not just a couple of quarters for a Coke. Not a dime or two to dash into the telephone booth. (Yes, we can remember those!) He carried a large handful of change every day.
I was frustrated that after 35 years of marriage my beloved was still carrying a pocket full of change. I could hear him coming a mile away and recognize him in a room even if I was blindfolded. He jingled when he walked and it was distinct. It always sounded the same; on the downbeat, a jingle, on the upbeat it was more like a breath before the next clanging of copper and silver. (Do they still even use copper in our pennies?)
As time and methods have evolved down through the years, we no longer need so many coins. A bottle of pop, or soda, usually costs more than a couple of quarters, and most all vending machines take paper money now.
If you see a phone booth on the corner it probably belongs to Superman, not AT & T. While living overseas we didn’t even need those gold and silver euros for parking; we paid with our phones!
So one day, after hearing me gripe for years about “getting with the times”, he did it. He emptied his pockets for the very last time and added the last of his coins to his savings basket.
He no longer jingled; he could now sneak up on others if he was so inclined.
I couldn’t hear him coming down a hallway.
What had I done? I had begged for him to change, I had teased and bugged him until he had given in. Now I wanted the jingle back. There were even a few times we NEEDED the change!
I wanted it back because it was a part of him. I insisted HE change to please me but when I finally got what I had asked for I discovered it wasn’t what I wanted at all.
Why do we think we ALWAYS know what is best for someone else? We are constantly trying to change them, to mold them into what WE want them to be.
God didn’t make us all the same and that is a wonderful thing. I have habits and annoyances that drive The Sweetheart up the wall but he loves me for who I am and realizes he cannot change me after all of these years.
Me? I keep trying. Ugh.
How many times have we been guilty of things like this in the spiritual?
We pray, think we have all of the answers, even go so far as to tell God what we want done, how things should be adapted according to our desires.
I think that sometimes God sits back, folds His arms and says, “Okay, have it your way.”
“And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Psalm 106:15
Then we are left with the results. There is no jingle or happiness in our lives because we have tried to manipulate the Almighty into doing what WE think is best. Instead, we should be trusting the One who sees down the road.
He is the Master conductor. We can trust Him and His ways. He does all things for our good, looking ahead to make sure every piece of the puzzle will fit. He sees that we are not only taken care of but that we thrive.
What kind of change are you pushing for?
Maybe you are trying to force it, wanting too much, too fast, or trying to bargain with God in order to get your way.
“The LORD Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.'” Isaiah 14:24.
Remember that pocket change. You might get what you ask for but you won’t like the end result.
Let that handful of silver stay in your pocket until God says, “It’s time.”
Pingback: Motivation Monday Linky Party 106- Mom Favorites
Pingback: Transplanting Peonies - Quick and Easy Tips {Video} - The Vintage Mom
Pingback: Motivation Monday Week #106 - Written Reality
It does seem to be going by the wayside with everyone just using debit cards anymore. But we have our memories. I don’t know the song you quoted…I shall have to Google it!
You never tell the Lord what to do…ha, ha. I receive that, in Jesus’ name! LOL ♥
Betsy…I would KEEP that change, lol! I used to tell My Three Sons that if they left ANY money in their pockets and I found it in the laundry it was mine. A couple of times that turned out to be $10 and $20 bills…they got much better at cleaning out their pockets 🙂 Blessings!
Thank you for sharing that about your husband, Joanne. I think we have married brothers! I am also so glad He doesn’t give me what I want all the time. I posted on my Facebook this morning a quote that says, “Even the delays of answers to our prayers are part of His goodness.” Amen! Blessings, friend. ♥
Oh thank you for sharing, Leah. Those little things that prompt memories mean so much. Blessings!
Isn’t that the truth? Is it selfish or is it godly? I love that. Thank you so much for stopping by and forgive my delay in responding. Blessings!
Love this! Such a sweet story and such a great reminder that the things we think we want are often not what we end up being happy with! Thanks for linking up to Motivational Monday!
Ummm, yeah – just LOVED this. “No jingle in our lives…” made me smile. I needed this today – really. Thank you.
I loved this one. My dad used to carry change in his pocket, too. And he would fiddle with it all the time. It used to bug me, but now that he’s gone, I miss it. Reminds me of that old song, “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone…”
As for the lesson – what do you mean? I never try to tell the Lord what to do…HA!!! I’m glad that His wisdom, and goodness, overrides my wishes. For I only know what I want, and He knows what I need.
GOD BLESS!
This was a sweet story, Nannette! And a great application too. This reminds me to have patience with my husband who for 19 years has left change–a few coins–in his pockets, so I have to empty them before I do laundry. If my “nagging” hasn’t made a difference in 19 years, I think I’d better just keep my mouth shut about it and keep on emptying his pockets. Maybe I’ll start saving that change!
Nannette, my husband empties his change frequently into a small coin machine we have. He fills the hopper so much, it is impossible to turn it on without jamming it 🙂 This leaves me to do it manually which has brought us much laughter as I so hate seeing the hopper full. I love the analogy you brought out. I am so grateful for the many times in my life in which God did not give me what I hoped but gave me what He knew was best. May He continually change my heart so that it aligns with His will. Blessings!!
Hello! Popping in from Five Minute Friday. I can almost hear the change rattling. My granddad and my Daddy both had change rattling in their pockets. I love your creativity in this post. So nice to meet you!
Very good! I love this. We always think we know what we want and we fight hard for it and when we get it, it is no longer what we wanted. It is very good to ask the question is this change selfish or is it godly.
Starting first with ME, yes! Thank you for taking the time to comment, Sabrina. Blessings!
What a great testimony, Nanette! I love how God uses the simplest examples to teach us some of the deepest lessons. I’m encouraged to push for the right kind of changes, starting first with myself before I look at anyone else.
I’m your neighbour at the FMF linkup. Glad I stopped by 🙂
I liked this girl. I enjoyed how you used the word “change” with such cleverness and inspiration. You are gifted. Change is inevitable. My body is changing (OH No! Why did I ever want to burn my bra). My relationships change and our spiritual aptitude changes. But He does not change and there is so much comfort there. Unchangeable! Amen
You are so right, Holly. It isn’t a pretty answer…I’ve spent years trying to change this guy, lol! When will I ever learn??? ♥
Amen and amen! I don’t like the forming process but I feel safe in the hands of the Potter. ♥
You are a superwoman, Ruth! You made ME grin this morning, thank you. Blessings!
Thank you Richelle. I visited you today also and enjoyed your words so very much! Praying for the work you are doing that God would multiply your efforts, give you favor among the people and bless everything you touch. In Jesus’ name!
Oh, good question: “Why do we think we ALWAYS know what is best for someone else?” With a probably not very pretty answer! It’s so true that sometimes the very thing we wanted someone to change is the thing we miss the most when it’s gone. Great post, Nannette!
Beautiful! Change can be so hard. I find myself so anxious to get through to the other side, but I drag my heels about the going through the painful transformation needed to get there.
I love this post! In fact, I even want to run into the nearest phonebox and see if I turn into superwoman (I can hope, can’t I?). It’s full of truth and honesty, and yes, patience. You really brightened my day with this, thank you! x
This was amazing! Such a powerful and true word picture. Thank you for sharing. 🙂 I hope to make it back and visit again!