Blind leading the blind

This year, has proved to be challenging, in many different ways. For some, more difficult challenges than others. For me, at times, I have found myself completely frustrated, when I needed to give instructions, usually involving technology, over the phone to my Mum and Dad. Due to restrictions, I wasn't able to go into their house and show them, and I found it difficult to talk them through it.

At the start of lockdown, Mum decided she would set up a facebook page so that she could watch ‘devotions with Dougie’ and listen to Stewarts ministry from New Cumnock (I’m sure if you are friends with her, she will have no doubtedly been forwarding that on to you for the past few months!! 😂)

I sat in her driveway, with her mobile phone and, tried to show her how it works. I’ve had numerous conversations over the phone, explaining how to find something she was looking for, and also a few times I’ve had to log into her account from my house, to try and fix something she had done wrong.

The funniest thing, was when she accidentally announced that she had just gotten married. Her sense of humour at her mistake was hilarious as she said she thought they had finally better make it legal! 😂

How to use zoom was particularly tough, but I’m glad to say that they have finally mastered how to log on and off, and even unmute themselves when needed! (90% of the time 😉)

However, my greatest challenge with her and technology, had to be this week. A few weeks ago, I managed to purchase a wireless printer for her, and set it up, so she could print from her phone. I set up an account for instant ink, for when she needed more, and she seemed to be all sorted.

Alas, I received a phone call the other day from her, extremely frustrated, asking how she could print out a few pages, from a really large booklet that she had. I tried my best, in the midst of a busy tesco, from behind my face mask, to explain what she should do, however, a little later I received a text from her, asking if I could stop by on my way home.

As I arrived in her driveway, I sat in my car giving her instructions out of the car window, while she stood in the doorway. Frustration was oozing out of her! 😤 Not only was she mad at the printer, but my Dad and I were getting it too! 😂

As I sat in the car, showing her on her phone, how to print out selected pages, instead of the whole 124 page booklet, the printer seemed to display problem after problem. Eventually, she got completely exasperated, and decided to change the coloured ink cartridge, to see if that would help! I don’t know why she came to that conclusion! It was at this point, she realised, that she hadn't removed the seal from the black ink, that she had put in the printer earlier.🙈🙈🙈

At this point, as I sat in my car, I have to admit, my patience was at my limits, and Dad sat amused in the doorway as Mum and I got more and more frustrated at each other!

As I described the whole scenario later, to Calum, it reminded me of a t.v. programme that I loved to watch, as a child called, 'The Crystal Maze'. It often involved, a team facing different challenges, in order to try and collect as many crystals as possible. Sometimes, a team mate had to face a challenge, where they relied on their teammates to talk them through it, because they were blindfolded, and couldn’t see their way. Other times, there were trials where a contestant's hands were through a partition, and they had to feel their way around the puzzle to complete it, whilst their teammates could see on a screen what they had to do and talk them through it.

As I sat in my car, talking my Mum through using her printer, I felt like I was in a challenge!! I don’t think my Mum and I would have won a crystal!

You see, we had various issues. Mum automatically thinks the technology is not going to work. She presumes, that it's always going to be more difficult than it is. I don’t trust that she will do what I am asking her to do, and she doesn’t trust that it will work, when I tell her to do it. (if only, she could master that touch screen needs a slight touch, instead of a proper press down, as if she is actually pushing a button!) We are also far too impatient, when things are not going to plan. There were plenty of sighs and tuts!

As I was thinking, of how poor we were at working together, when I couldn’t see what was going on inside their house, I wondered if I was the same, when God is working with me and I can’t see what is going on.

Am I compliant and calm, as I trust God to guide me ,when I don’t understand what is going on? Or, do I get frustrated, and exasperated when things don't seem to be unfolding the way I think that they should.

You see, Mum and I were just as bad as each other. I’m sure I could have been more patient, and listened more carefully to her descriptions of the problem. She could have been much calmer, and listened to what I was saying, instead of huffing and puffing! 😂 But, I can’t blame God, for letting me down, if I fail at ‘life's trials’. God knows what is best for me. In the book of Jeremiah, it says that God has a plan for me, to give me hope and a future. But, not only does He have a plan, he also knows the best way for that plan to be achieved. My Mum and I, definitely don’t know, the best way for me to explain technology to her!

The bible says:

“As for God, his way is perfect.”

Psalm 18:30

God's way is perfect. So, if things don’t seem to be going to plan, then maybe it’s because I am following my plan, and not God’s. Maybe, it’s because God is taking me a direction, that I don’t think is the right way. Maybe, I’m allowing too many things, tell me what way I should be going, and drowning out God’s voice. Like those t.v. challenges, when a team member is blindfolded, if too many of the teammates are shouting, to try and direct them, then oftentimes the contestant ends up confused, because they are all drowning each other out, and they go the wrong way. If, I am allowing opinions of others to drown out God’s voice, then I’m going to end up going the wrong way too.

I have to be honest, and say that oftentimes, I allow my feelings to guide me instead of trusting God. I allow feelings of disappointment, frustration, rejection or insecurity to assure me if I’m on the right path, instead of trusting that God still knows best. Surely, if I am experiencing all those feelings I’ve mentioned then that must indicate God has got it wrong.

Really, I need to remember that feelings can’t be relied upon. They are ever changing. But God remains the same. The bible says, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He will always be, the constant in my life.

“Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me.” John ch 14:1

Mum and I clearly weren’t trusting. I didn’t trust that she was following my instructions, and she wasn’t trusting that the printer was doing what she wanted. God wants us to place all our trust in Him. He wants to work together, in unity, as he leads me through each day. It’s my job, to submit to Him, who knows best, and let Him lead me.

Hope you enjoy this song. It's a blast from the past but a favourite of mine. I love it.