Simple things

Sometimes in life we are frustrated with the results we are achieving.  We begin with good intentions and even push through to a point where things seem to be going in the direction we want and everything is working. We have a plan and our execution is seemingly flawless.  We have done and are doing what needs to be done at the moment and we can see all that needs to happen in the future in order for our plan to be successful.  As we move forward, however, because we are receiving results, we may not notice that we have forgotten something. Kind of like using salt in your cookies instead of sugar, the cookies still look like cookies, however, they do not taste like cookies. The simple ingredient change caused a result the was not desirable.

Sometimes it's the small or simple things that get in the way of big success or the complete results we are aiming for. We have a refrigerator/freezer not unlike any other with an ice and water dispenser which we use quite heavily. As time has gone on, it seemed as though the ice maker was beginning to fail.  At first, it seemed to not make enough ice fast enough but not to the point of being a real issue. Gradually though, the ice maker fell further and further behind in its ability to keep up with demand and the ice began to be thinner and not as solid, this became a source of much frustration. As the ice makers production declined the desire to replace the refrigerator grew exponentially along with the frustration.

In the midst of the frustration and desperation and the sickening feeling that came with looking at the price of new models, we began to investigate. After looking at a few things and determining the mechanics seemed to be in working order we checked the water line to ensure it was flowing properly. Feeling confident the water flow into the refrigerator was good, we bought a new filter. Guess what the result was?  We got perfect ice!  A simple $40 fix instead of an $1800 new refrigerator.

Application:

When our lives seem to be producing insufficient results, we should not be so quick to toss our life and start over. We just need to reevaluate and see what we missed to gain the results we desire.  In most cases it will be something small that we overlooked.  All might be going well enough, still making ice, just not enough or quite the quality we hoped for; however we notice that things could be better.  The family seems to be functioning but not everyone seems as happy as they could be or willing to do their part in proportion to the rest of the family.  You might begin to ask yourself what is different, or what could I be doing that I am not? It may turn out that family prayer might have gone from 7 nights a week to 3. Personal prayer might have gone from daily to weekly. Telling your spouse or kids how much you love them might not be a daily thing any more.  These are all simple things, like changing the filter, that can make a big difference.