Taking it personally

Traveling out west a few weeks ago, we stopped off in Anadarko to pick up my brother and for a quick night's rest at the ranch. After having carted our bags and pillows upstairs to the guest bedroom and thanking our hosts for their graciousness, I slipped down the dark hallway and into the bathroom to clean up and brush my teeth before bed.
I noticed some neon-colored index cards taped to the bathroom mirror containing inspiring quotes.

I smiled.

Half-consciously as I brushed my teeth I wondered which child might have written the quotes ...and why.
Who were they meant to encourage? Whose mind were they meant to refresh? I pictured a young follower of Jesus, passionately attempting to renew her mind daily. Taping truth before her eyes.

But I didn't think much more about the words,

(assuming them for someone else . . . simple as they were)

until, wash rag in hand, they quite suddenly slapped me in the face . . . and I took it personally.

"God has a plan. Trust Him!"

Who's to say this wasn't written for me???

Me, Lord? But I already know that.

That simple little phrase is there to remind someone else, right?

God, that's probably there for someone who has a hard time remembering the simple fact that You have a plan. Someone who is still learning to trust.

Not me. I already . . . . . . . .

Or do I?
Do I really already know that?

Is that what I live. . . in the real and hard and crazy times?
Or does it just agree with my intellect . . . when life feels good and I feel like I'm making great headway?

Does my everyday life say "God has a plan. Trust Him!" . . . or are these words confined only to my lips and my head?

Realizing that humility chooses to learn every chance it gets and never boasts too quickly of mastery, I decided that maybe . . .

. . . maybe . . .

Maybe this quote on the little orange card really was for me. To take with me in my heart as I travel this road of life, reminding me that I'm never too educated to simply trust . . .   and I should never be so proud that I assume little reminders are meant for someone else.

How often do I miss opportunities to learn or be more conformed into the image of Jesus simply because I assume it's for someone else?

The scripture on the wall . . .
The quote on the church sign . . .
The spiritual analogy in the situation that just happened . . .
The sermon I just heard . . .
The written reminder . . .

Could it be pride in me that thinks these are there for someone else?
I am willing to admit that.
Could it be that I need to humble myself and choose to take more things personally?
I am willing to do that.

I want to be willing and open to learning all that Father wants me to learn.
I want to quit pointing fingers and start taking things personally.