My husband and I often talk about his job. We do this because one, it’s a consuming job, and two, I get it, and he’s comfortable talking to me about it. Many times he remarks about how he feels like he loses his edge when he spends too much time in the office. He’s a sergeant in his department so he’s not really required to be out and about hunting for criminals. He is required to be in the office doing paper work and keeping tract of his team of deputies. He loves to get out in his unit and do some crime hunting, because in doing this it keeps him sharp and alert to his surroundings, and the possibilities of danger. This is a very important skill for anyone going out into the world wearing a uniform. They need to be sharp and aware at all times. When they lose the edge of that skill, they put themselves and others in danger.

I often feel like these skills and awareness carry over into life. It’s the old adage, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” As a believer, I have spent many months in what seemed like battles. When things are happening with my children, I’m aware of everything. I’m close to God and spending a lot of one-on-one time with him. I need it to get through my day. In the middle of battle we are sharp and aware. We see the footholds that are in our paths. We are alert because we are being sensitive to God’s leading and listening to his instruction. When times are tough I’m all in the game, and have my battle gear on. I’m training and practicing for the next fight.

When times are easy, I very often become complacent. I don’t look around or ahead to the next corner because everything is easy and going great. Then, before you know it, I become disgruntled in my every-day life. Seriously, why is it like this? Why is my nature one of laziness and complacency? The worst part is when I’m busy looking at myself, my needs, and my not-perfects, I don’t see the  pot holes in my path and the next thing I know, I’m in the middle of one with water rising up around my neck.

When my life is easy I get out of spiritual shape, and become tactically lazy and people get hurt. It’s usually me or the one’s I love the most. These are the times I really get focused on the here and now and what’s not right with all of it.

I’m here right now.

I spent the last two days being crabby and picking at everything. Aughhh.

It took me getting alone for about 25 minutes, and hearing some truth singing from my radio, to get myself back on track. Look around! Be aware! It’s in the complacency that we miss our calling, and trip on the land mines. Stay close to God, even on the easy days, because when we don’t we find ourselves in the hard days.

Just saying.