Fall 1991

Take His Hand and Handle Todays Stress
Corinne Pollak

It is 6:30 pm and I am sitting at my desk, looking out my window, trying to collect my thoughts after a hectic day. My day was not a busy one, as to serving the public, but one filled with a number of stressful situations that needed dealing with. Many of them did not relate to my own actions, but with those outside my business and family life.

Then my husband said, "Why do these things happen to us. We worked hard all day, but we always seem to catch it ...?" After being able to express these things, I felt better. There is something about letting it all out that relieves stress. Along with this, it gave me a fresh outlook, so I could go on with the things at hand.

As the sun slowly dipped behind the mountains, and the clouds reflected the setting sun, I began to feel refreshed and relaxed. By this time, my husband, Richard, was sitting on the couch, watching the evening news, where I would shortly join him. Earlier, he had felt a need to release tensions and choose to mow the lawn, hopefully for the last time.

The peaceful scene of my back yard always portrays to me the wonders of God's hand. The sunflowers that grew from seeds which fell from the bird feeder; the nuthatch and chickadees that visit my feeder on a regular basis; the hundreds of shades of green from the Lord's pallet, such as the new growth on our scotch pine tree. In this atmosphere, I am able to purge out the stress of the day, and be refreshed with the peace that always comes as I wait upon the Lord. In this freshness of spirit, I often find answers to those perplexing problems that had caused stress during the day.

Earlier this year, I rejoiced as my first batch of baby bluebirds took flight. I had watched their progress as I would my own children; everyday checking the nest from the time the eggs were laid to that special day of graduation. When the mother bluebird laid new eggs in the same house, I was overjoyed. I began telling my customers that we would have yet another four bluebirds leave the nest. The Lord had truly blessed us with these little wonders of His Kingdom ... but I had spoken too soon.

I had checked the nest and all was well. The baby bluebirds were all feathered out and in a few days would take wing. The parent birds waited as I checked with their approval. Richard and I were taking the next day off to visit Niagara Falls. After returning, I noticed other birds flying close to the nesting box. Upon inspection, I found the roof on the ground, along with blue feathers. The nest was empty! I was heart broken. When replacing the roof, I had not tightened the screw that held it in place. Now, I would have to tell everyone that I was to blame.

I had accepted from God the gift of the bluebirds, but I began to take their safety for granted. In my haste, I failed to tighten down the screw, which became a death sentence for them.

Are you taking a gift from God for granted? Are you doing your part by taking His hand to continually lead the way? Thank Him for His gifts and every day blessings. He will take the stresses of life from us, as we enjoy His manifold provisions in our behalf.