Jonah! Jonah! Jonah!

Jonah! Jonah! Jonah!

I feel like Jan Brady stomping through the house, except Jonah's name is shouted out, not Marcia!

Side note:  I was insanely jealous of Jan and Marcia's long straight flowing hair. 

I had wavy hair with numerous cowlicks to tame.  

Just a confession.  (Squirrel ADD moment)

Jonah was preached on Sunday.

Jonah in my "Lent" Bible Study for two days.

Jonah flashes up on my e-mail devotion

So, I'm guessing, Jonah wants to be the topic of discussion for this week.  I'm good with that.

I've come to the realization that I, myself have been Jonah at one time or another in my life.  

 We all have.  It's true.  Even if you refuse to admit it.  Doesn't make it any less

true.  It's the whole theory:  If a tree falls in the woods thing.

 If no one is there to "hear" it fall, did it 

make a sound?

  Another Side note:  I always

thought that tree falling in the woods thing was STUPID.  

Who really cared?(Squirrel)

I've been Jonah.  Knowing God has asked me to do something and 

I've looked up with that

wide EYED look with eyebrows down, 

head pulled back look.  

You know the one. 

You're doing it right now.

Running from what God wants you to do, 

is like riding up hill in a sea of the thickest almond butter 

ever (organic of course) on a bike too small 

with two flat tires across the state of Tennessee with a 

backpack full of cans of spam on your back!!!

  Friend!!  It is not good!  

It's exhausting!  It's frightening!  

You keep looking over your shoulder to see if God is still there.  

He is.

He's that little tapping on your shoulder. 

Tap. Tap. Tap.

So, (insert your name)  are you ready?  I have a path with NO almond butter.

I will put air in your tires and lets dump the spam!

Ok.. Just for moment, let's consider the "fish"

Has anyone ever thought about this poor BIG fish?

No, I'm not an animal rights activist, 

and I'm not pulling together a petition to send 

to God, on the cruelty of animals.  

I'm not worried about the "fish" per say; I'm just 

saying... I think there's another story here.

I've been that FISH too!!!

Side note:  I don't even like fish.  No lie.  I just don't like the taste of fish.  I've tried it.  it taste like  

Fish.  I kid with folks and tell them, I won't eat anything that swims around in it's own toilet.

That was all free information.  (Squirrel)

Back to the fish.

This fish is swimming around minding his own business.

Swim.

Eat.

well, you know.

Repeat.

Then God, tells the fish to swim over "here".

Swim. Swim. Swim.

He opens his BIG mouth and in pops Jonah.

Jonah doesn't taste like the other fish he's eaten before.

As a matter a fact. He's a bit bitter.

The fish thinks:  This is NOT good.

I should get rid of it.

Maybe I'll just carry  it around for a few days.  Maybe it will get better.

Day one... not so good.

Day Two....yeah... indigestion sets in.

Day Three... ok...You gotta go dude!

Then the fish... does what he does... and spews that bitter bad boy out!

And Swims off in the sunset .

Awe. The End.

I've encountered people in my life that I felt like God wanted me to encounter.

I'm a fairly friendly sort.  

So, I make friends.  Then after a season, you know it's

best to move on from that relationship.  

I don't think that's a bad thing.

There are people in this world that God 

wants you to encounter for a short time

to influence them (hopefully in a positive way)  

You are always influincing people.

I've learned what TO do from watching people.

BUT,

I've also learned what to NOT do from watching people. 

God uses all people.  

They may not even know if they are being the Fish or

Jonah. But He uses everyone for His good.  

I've also learned that GOD loves ALL people.

  Even those who grate on your last nerve!

He loves them!!

So, my take away from all of this is simple.

I want to RUN to God not from God.

If God wants me to be a Fish for a season.  I'm your gal.

I don't know what God will ask next of me.  

Won't lie, sometimes it scares me to

death!  Will He ask me to do "this?" or "that?"

Can I do "that?" What if I "fail?"

One thing I do know for a fact.

Psalms 139:7-12

Tells me I can NOT escape God.  He is EVERYWHERE!!!

That my friend, gives me comfort.

Now, go eat some ToFu. 

(just kidding)