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Writer's pictureShonda Carter

Missed IT By That Much


A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matt 13:3-9)


I have heard and read this parable several times but it wasn't until yet another "disaster" happened that this story jumped out at me. I have to travel 7 hours to attend my seminary cohort. It seems like every trip I take there is always something foreboding. This time was no different. We got 30 minutes away from San Antonio and my truck died a quick death leaving my husband and I on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere at 1 am. While the whole situation was indeed "tense" this time I just could not hold in my anger and frustration.

"WHY LORD, WHY? WHY WOULD YOU LET ME GET THIS CLOSE?!"

I knew that the Lord did not cause my car to break down but I was mad that He did not PREVENT my car from breaking down- And to be this close to the destination was just disheartening. And to be on my way to SEMINARY--ugh this is just a gut punch I didn't ever think I could recover from.

The next morning during a spiritual exercise. The famous Charlie Brown football scene flashed in my mind. I finally calmed down enough to talk to God instead of accusing Him. During our conversation I discovered that a "spirit of almost" was choking the life out of my plants a.k. a dreams. In His infinite wisdom God extended an invitation for recovery and to continue in MY story.

"That is Charlie Brown's scene, what does your scene look like?" He asked.

It was then that this vision popped into my mind:

You see, the Spirit of Almost wants us under the yokes of  disappointment, failure, and unfulfilled promises. This spirits victims rise today and fall tomorrow, and they live in depression, frustration, and sorrow, year after year.

I don't know about you but I am tired of being a victim. I am not saying that there won't be times when I miss it and land flat on my back but I know that those times will always result in my getting right back up again and demanding my ball. How about you? Have you ever had a run in with the Spirit of "Almost" if so how did you handle it?


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