I am PUNY

"I've come for Jan's help." A tingle of fear went through my mind.  I'm the first wave of computer support at the office.  I have no official training.  But I'm gotten myself in trouble enough and remember a few of the solutions the professionals have used to remedy my calamities. That frisson of fear reminded me, I am merely a puny human.

"A November Iowa Sunset. The road looked puny compared to the sunset."

Psalm 9 reminds me of my place in the world: I am not God.  God is The One who defeats enemies, rescues me, delivers me, rebukes me for my own good, judges the wicked, and me, avenges injustice and vindicates the wrong.

Psalm 9 reminds me of my purpose in the world:  to publicly praise God with all of my heart. It seems so simple.  God is God and is more than able to handle the world.  Yet, I, and we, mere humans, think we can be victors, heroes, judges and avengers. 

We want to be superheroes among the mortals.  The final verse  of this Psalm makes it plain to which group we belong.  I checked several translations.  The final words of the Psalm were "merely human", "only mortal", "only human", "mere mortals", "are men", "only men", and my personal favorite "puny men."

I realize the last verse refers to contentious nations rebelling against God. If I'm honest with myself, I am guilty of being like those prideful nations, thinking I can control my life and destiny.  Too often I dig my own pits and fall in. (see verse 11)  Rarely do I set traps for others but I certainly try to protect, control and defend myself.  I'd like to think "I'd never do that" but  too often I fail at the very thing I'm judging another.

I did fix my coworker's issue with a disclaimer, "I can't do everything." Perhaps we need to embrace our "puniness."  After all, God is able, more able than our mortal minds can comprehend.  Who is better equipped?  Certainly not the mere humans.

Let's redefine puny.  Take away the negative connotation.  Adopt  PUNY as a guide for life.

P rotected and provided by God, not me.

U nder God's Plan, not mine (because I fall into the pits of my own design!)

N ot God, plain and simple (He is The Superhero who can do anything and everything.)

Y et loved, in spite of my refusal to accept my puniness. 

Hallelujah!  I will take the pledge of Puniness knowing that I will occasionally fall into a pit.  Yet God, this One and Only Amazing God is faithful.  He will gather this "puny self" up, dust me off and give me one more chance to discover the incredible life He has planned.

what if?

”give us senior citizens something free and we go crazy!”

I’d posted my Happy New Year message on Facebook with a short video. My friend commented that it sounded like I celebrated with a gaggle of geese. Actually it was a restaurant full of happy adults with free horns! They tooted through the entire 8 minutes of fireworks. (You’re glad I only posted 21 second but I have the whole 7+ minutes if you’re interested,)


My friend’s comment came to mind when I read my first assignment for the 2018 daily bible reading challenge.  Genesis 1-3 tells of  God’s work and provision for you and me. He created the world and everything we need. He also gave us the double edged gift of choice. We can choose good or evil, trouble or peace, God or self.

Adam and Eve listened to the serpent and their selfish desires.  After their choice to disobey they heard God coming. So they hid from the Giver of Life.

What if they’d remembered all the Giver had freely provided? What if they’d listened to their praise?

What if I would use praise in the challenging circumstances to combat temptations and feelings of defeat?

What if I could not be like Adam and Eve and praise God for what He has already done for me, in the past, present and into the future rather than thinking “why me?” Or “why not?”

What if, rather than hiding from God, who gave me all I ever need, I was like the revelers

with free horns and toot for joy for the whole 8 minutes?

What if we make 2018 the year of listening to God, not running and hiding, but praising Him for His Gifts?