And many strokes, though with a little axe, Hew down and fell the hardest-timbered oak*
I am cleaning out my filing cabinet to make room for all the new work stuff that we are accumulating. There is one file, however, that will not be pitched no matter what else I might throw away! It’s my Boot File.
Finding yourself in my Boot File is high praise. It means you said something that either kicked me in the backside or else stepped on my toes. Either way it was good for me and needful for me to read (and re-read, and generally re-read again)
For the next few days, as I ponder on things in my Boot File, I’m going to share some of them with you. There are things in there from people you would know/recognize and people you might not. Either way, it is wisdom from Father, being spoken through His people.
If reading one of my “Boots” triggers a Boot thought in you, by all means, leave it. I’ll add it to my Boot File – by the time I’m done getting rid of so much of the rest of the stuff in there, I’ll have plenty of room for more kicks in the backside or toe stepping.
Today’s Boot:
“The most powerful magnet in the world is complaining. If you love your house being a mess, then just complain about it. It will surely remain that way. If you’d rather struggle to make ends meet or you like how much you’re being paid at that dead end job, just complain about it, for that will surely keep the situation that you are living in continuing just like it is.
“If however, you would rather have a household that is peace-filled and pleasant, give thanks for yours. If it would be a big help to have a larger paycheck, give thanks for it.
“The Lord delights in our thanks and He delights in blessing His children. He has already told us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” If you want your life to improve, stop complaining and start giving thanks, in advance, in FAITH, for the things that you desire to define your life.”
~ Grandma Beckhold, the sweet little old grandma that I went to church with that had 6 sons…6 large sons.
Her husband died when they were still young parents, leaving her to raise those 6 large sons. The boys knew that if you sassed mama, you’d pay for it. She was known to tell her over 6′ sons to bend down to her 4′ 11″ self, so she could slap their face. And they did. 🙂 If they didn’t they weren’t necessarily afraid of her – what could a mosquito do to a cow?! 😆 And while they weren’t afraid of Mama, they WERE afraid of their brothers. And not obeying Mama meant dealing with all of them and THAT was something to be afraid of.
* Without Googling it, can you tell me where this title quote came from? 🙂 There could be a surprise in it for you! (You’ll have to take your chances. It might just be a copy of my Boot File.) 😆
Java Dawn 
I think that I may have to make a boot file. This one is definately giving me a kick in the behind. Complaining seems to be a family trait. One that I know we must overcome.
Thanks for the boot 🙂
Oh, and I am not sure where the quote may have come from but it sounds like Joel Osteen to me.
🙂 Yep, that’s my Boot file. Every time I read something in it, I get my backside booted! (or if I’ve learned from the first time I read it, it might just be my toes getting stepped on.) 🙄 I can assure you there will be nothing I share from my file that doesn’t hit me square between the eyes. 😕
Complaining is such an insidious little sin. It just sneaks up on us so quickly, doesn’t it? I can think I’m just “imparting information” to someone and before I know it, I’m complaining. UGH.
I think one of the reasons the enemy employs it so much is it causes us to think that there are things happening in our lives that are not for our good – and by voicing it, we somehow cause our minds to focus on IT, rather than our gracious and loving Father. (guilty!)
Oh and Margie, while I agree the quote does sound like Joel – I don’t believe that Grandma Beckhold ever heard of him. 😀 This was just good, ole homespun wisdom from a tiny grandma that loved the Lord.
AND thank you! You pointed out that I didn’t clarify which quote I was in reference to. It’s the title that I’m looking for. 🙂 I changed the question. Thank you, thank you, thank you for pointing that out for me!!
Sounds old (the language) – like 16th century? 17th century? No younger than that. Not John Donne?
(I don’t want a boot, by the way. I’m thinking….like….chocolate? That would work for me.)
I know it’s not Donne. Herbert?
Golly, if I’d have known I was going to get my backside kicked, I wouldn’t have come by to read your blog.
🙂
But I guess if I complain about your blog, you’ll only write more stuff from the boot file. hee hee hee
You know I’m teasing, Dawn. Thank you for challenging us. If you’re re-reading the file and feeling a little bit booted, it’s only fair that the rest of feel booted too.
by the way, I couldn’t stand it. I had to find out, so I did Google your quote. Amusingly enough, your blog is the first hit on Google. The second hit shows where the quote actually came from. 🙂
I really like that quote, but had no idea who said it, so I cheated also. I was surprised at who said it.
I’ve now googled it too. Ah, makes perfect sense!
Isn’t that a GREAT quote for a boot file? 😀
Thanks for playing with me.
I’m backtracking trying to find the name of the book that Violet recommended to you.
Since you never told us the answer, I googled it.
Did you know that when you google that phrase, javadawn is #1 on Googles search results?