It’s the middle of May and I just finished doing my taxes. As procrastinators say, “Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow.” Now to be fair (at least that’s my excuse) I knew I was going to have to shell out big time to Uncle Sam. 2020 was an eventful year on so many levels (and taxable events) selling a house, retiring, buying a house, etc, etc, etc. But at the end of the day (a terrible writing cliché) I can’t complain … well actually I can and do.
So Mimsy and I went for a walk. She had clear objectives (biological functions), I just wanted to put things into perspective. It was a good walk, the sun was low in the west and back lit the new springtime growth of trees, shrubs, and yes poison ivy, I was slapping mosquitoes, but the were birds were singing, all in all it was a great springtime stroll.
I thought of taxes, mosquitoes and poison ivy (which I can just look at and break out) and then I thought of trust. Trust is one of those lessons that I have to keep learning over and over again. I like to think I’m a pretty positive person, but there are times when doubts and fears come rolling in and I borrow troubles in the middle of the night that will never appear in the light of day.
Intellectually and theologically I think I have a decent grasp on my relationship with God as a Christian. I understand that I am promised His unending love and salvation by His sacrifice on the cross. I also understand as a Christian, I am not promised a life of ease, pink Cadillacs, freedom from mosquitoes, poison ivy, or taxes (and if you are listening to a prosperity preacher who promises you those things, it’s time to switch channels [editorial comment].
Since it’s a walk both philosophical and biological, I don’t mind asking Mimsy, “So why do I struggle trusting God?” She looks up at me, chuffs, hikes her leg, then turns toward home. I follow her lead.
You get to certain point when you can’t kid yourself. I know I will have periods of doubt, questions that I can’t answer, but I plan on keeping on walking toward home.
Peace, Poppy
(Though I really want to ask God, poison ivy, seriously?)
Poppy Walks the Dog ... 
Keep walking! Yes, I love that. And Amen to the poison ivy conundrum–why, oh, why. One of the multitudes of reasons my springtime kept me from regular blogging and communication with my favorite bloggers, including you: one of my boys got the WORST case of poison ivy–all over his face, of course. One of his eyes was almost swollen shut. Well, thank God for steroids and patience and a kid who somehow doesn’t get itchy. I’m itchy just thinking about it!
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I’m so allergic, I’ve learned to spot it from a distance … and yes I’ve been caught spraying weed killer on poison ivy along the road where Mimsy and I walk on property I don’t even own.
Love recommendations from people I trust, Just ordered “The Vexations.”
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I got a chuckle. Lol. I really enjoy your musings. It is one thing to being adulting and another whole thing to learn to be retired. When I have past this world, no more taxes. However the mosquitoes & poison Ivy live on. 🐶
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I was looking forward to reading your tome until I saw the word “taxes”! At least I didn’t have all the events you had, so maybe it won’t be so bad.
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