2:79 – Angry Energizer Bunny

#faithbites #faithjourney #energizer

Do you remember the commercial from the 90s and beyond of the Energizer Bunny. He keeps going and going and going. They used that ad to prove that their batteries lasted longer than anyone else’s batteries.

I started wondering what how the Energizer Bunny felt after he truly kept going and going and going. If we never got to rest, would he get a bit grumpy?

That’s how I feel today. It’s been nonstop: wake up, get the kids ready, make lunch, go to work, work, pick up the kids, do dishes, do laundry, take the trash out, make dinner, clean up dinner, watch a show with the kids, get them ready for bed, and now I’m writing #faithbites. I was getting a little testy with the kids when they wouldn’t go to sleep when one refused to sleep in her room because there was a big bug somewhere.

Then as we were doing our prayers and I was singing to her, she said I scared her when I yelled at her. UGH. #ParentingFail. Nothing like going and going and going to feel like a failure.

We all go through it but it doesn’t make it right. But we can learn

Scripture

• Like a dog that returns to its vomit, a fool does the same foolish things again and again. People who think they are wise when they are not are worse than fools. – Proverbs 26:11-12 
• Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me. – Philippians 3:13
• For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. – Proverbs 24:16

Reflection

Sometimes the Bible is vague and you have to discern what it means, other times, like in the first Proverbs verse, it’s crystal clear. We need to learn from our mistakes and not do them over and over and over. Today though, I feel like the dog back at the mess. My only saving Grace is that Jesus forgives me no matter what. No matter how many times I make the same mistakes, he forgives me, just like my children.

The second Proverbs verse is clear as well. Following the Lord is hard and we may fail over and over again, but we will find the right path. The wicked, well, they will stumble.

No one is perfect as we see in Philippians. We all have a long way to go, but knowing that Christ is helping us, does make it better.

I do still feel like the Energizer Bunny, but one who finally needs to recharge or replace these batteries. When I don’t take the rest that Jesus says we should, we make more mistakes. So long story short: rest!

Charge

When was the last time you replaced your batteries? Do you find when you are worn down, you make more mistakes or are less like yourself? When that happens, know that you are forgiven for those mistakes and also know that you need to take time. Maybe it’s not a full charge, but a few minutes of me time may be just what the doctor ordered.

Prayer

Lord of All Creation, thank you for giving me stamina and endurance. Thank you for your forgiveness when we do make the same mistakes over and over and over again. Help us to learn from those mistakes, including the mistake of not resting. Give us your strength to know when to push on and when to replace the batteries. Help us to always emulate you. In your name, Amen.