07/22/2025
What a little jerk!
This guy, with his ugly stare and mischievous grin makes my skin crawl. He really does!
Stepping out onto the porch most evenings, he greets me - and so do several of his buddies. But, guys, I don’t care for any kind of reptilian company. The bumpy skin and grimy appearance just isn’t my thing. Plus, the little presents they leave behind aren’t exactly well packaged.
And, yes, I know I said I’m an animal lover. But to be honest, I don’t believe these guys even fit the category.
I can also tell you this little jerk’s impression is pre-meditated. I can prove it! I’m not even two steps out the door before I’m startled by him as he suddenly appears usually right at my feet, and then a second later I realize I’m completely surrounded. Different sizes. Different colors. Different stares. He always brings his posse.
Ew.🤢
Oh, and do you want to know what special thing he did for me just the other day?? He came into my house! Yep! Like the little jerk he is, he waltzed right in - just helped himself right through the door, one quick hop and a thud of a landing, like he was invited or something.
The nerve.🤨
(Thank you, Brady, for rescuing me …and the little jerk).
I’ve definitely had to adjust since moving to Texas five years ago. Just walking to my car was suddenly a real struggle as I quickly realized these little jerks are everywhere, and they usually bring along reinforcements. If I wanted to go on about my day and contribute to life outside the home, I was going to have to get over the unwelcome visitors.
Sounds silly, doesn’t it?
I know.
In all honesty, I knew this “fear” was unmerited and unworthy of my time and energy. So, I conquered. With a few strategies put into place moving one small step at a time - and some intentional truth-telling about fear - I worked past the feeling. Now, I walk to my car without even a glance and I celebrate almost every single time.
Guys, what are the little jerks in your life? I know they’re not toads.🐸
Are they people? Do bad drivers and rude cashiers keep you from accomplishing simple errands? It’s frustrating, I know. 😖
Or perhaps it’s the negative nuances of past mistakes still casting shadows on your life. Maybe the guilt and shame you’ve been carrying has dragged you down for years, and you just can’t get a grip on the grace and forgiveness that everybody seems to keep talking about. Yep, I’ve been there too.🫤
Perhaps it comes down to your lack of education or confidence since you never did finish that bachelor's degree like your parents wanted you to, and you’re constantly feeling like a let down. It’s heavy, the weight you carry.😩
Maybe it’s even more reasonable, like the residual scarring left over from deep trauma and heartache inflicted on you by another person and were totally out of your control - or the heavy feelings of grief you just can’t seem to move past. You’re wondering if the pain is going to last forever, right?😣
I get it. I really do.
We all have little jerks in our life. But, guys, would it help you to know your desire to deal with them should not involve simply avoiding them? I couldn’t maneuver around those toads if my life depended on it anyway! Instead, it’s about moving FORWARD, and navigating a new way around it, or directly past it, so you can continue to live in the full prosperity God has promised you.
And did you hear that?? He wants you to PROSPER. He doesn’t want you wallowing in your pain or hiding in your shame and insecurities. It’s not healthy. It’s not biblical. And it’s certainly not Godly.
So, start moving. Take just one small step at a time - and trust me when I say one small successful move forward will only lead to another …and then another …and then another - and it’s totally possible to overcome or even completely get rid of the little jerks in your life for good.
Ask me how I know.🫶
