I was writing today  about powerlessness, and wrote “control is an illusion.” Later, I went outside to work on a rock garden here at our Colorado “Cabbage.” (Not a cabin, not quite a cottage.) I was doing some watering and decided to move the hose around to the other side of the wheelbarrow so I wouldn’t risk dragging it over a beautiful little Colorado Wallflower. As I did, I bumped the wheelbarrow and it fell right on top of the little flower I intended to protect!

How ironic that an action taking to prevent one adverse event provoked an event that was much worse! Isn’t it sad that our best efforts often fall far short of our desires? At the same time, it is comforting. It is sad that we cannot always do the good we wish, but comforting that our power is limited. When it comes to orchestrating our lives and protecting those we love, we are at God’s mercy. Thankfully, He is a merciful God and does a much better job with the flowers than I do. He takes good care of me, too.

Thanks, God, for being in control. Running the universe is way too much responsibility for me.