Every month or so, I have to trim Max's toenails. He HATES it. It doesn't hurt him, he just doesn't like being held and having his nails cut. When it's time to trim Max's nails, the hardest part for me is catching Max. No matter how I try to disguise what I'm going to do, Max knows something is up. He'll fly from his cage to his sofa and back all just above my reach. I've learned to chase him for a few times, and then "give up". Then Max will fly to me or a perch nearby, thinking he's won the battle... that's when I catch him.
Anyone hearing his squawks, as I trim his nails, would think he's being tortured—of course, Max thinks he is. It only takes about 2 minutes to cut his toenails...and would take less if Max would stay still. Once I'm done trimming, Max hops up on my shoulder and yells at me for a few seconds....until he realizes he's fine. Then he promptly gives me a few kisses followed by some "pretty bird" and "happy" rants.
I often wonder if I act like Max when God is working in my life. When I sense God's about to do something, do I run and try to remain out of His reach? (Of course that's impossible.) And When God begins the "trimming" to make me more in His image, do I yell and scream all the while kicking and straining as He works? Just as with Max, I'm sure if I'd allow God to work, and be "soft and pliable" in His hands, the "trimming" wouldn't take as long and would be very painless.
Max trusts me and is evident in how he reacts around me. He'll sleep on me, sit on me and fly to any room I'm in, so that he can be with me. He's sitting on my shoulder as I type this. You'd think because of the trust he has in me, he'd let me trim his nails without a fight.
Max trusts me and is evident in how he reacts around me. He'll sleep on me, sit on me and fly to any room I'm in, so that he can be with me. He's sitting on my shoulder as I type this. You'd think because of the trust he has in me, he'd let me trim his nails without a fight.
The same is true with my relationship with God. I trust God. He knows what I need more than I do! And He has shown over and over that He does care for me and He loves me with an unconditional love.
So, when God wants to do some trimming in my life, what is my reaction? I wish I could say that I remain soft and pliable and let God work. However, I know that there are times, I kick and scream wondering why God would choose to work on me at this time or in this way. I'm so very thankful that God continues working in my life. The only way for me to grow in Him is to let God trim, whenever He wants.... as much as He wants...and by any means He deems best.
Each day, I must remain soft and pliable in God's hands. That includes remaining positive. God says very clearly in Philippians 4:8-9, "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." (The Message) If my mind and heart are focused on the positive things of God, I'll be much more pliable as He works in my life.
