Prikkelbaar

Prikkelbaar, that's what I am today, and I don't like it, especially when it becomes irrational and takes on a life of its own, muscling its false identity over my own. I have no problems with mystery, but along the way I expect prudence and good common sense. Prikkelbaar is none of the above. It starts with a small nuisance, a stimulus that causes a reaction, and before long there are fifty other annoyances waiting to attach like leeches. While the spiral started with a slight joke, it touched upon a deeper disdain for judgments instead of acceptance, and rigidity instead of flexibility. And all the red lights, harried drivers, and dirty dishes afterwards were only stoking embers; they were not the core source. Whew, I'm starting to regain my identity of sloth-like calmness by simply naming the obstacle. Now I can sympathize that the same characteristics that often bring negative reactions in me are also the same traits that I admire. Their quickness to make decisions is one of the disciplines that I desperately need! Maybe if I had a little more order to my life I wouldn't spend two hours looking for a misplaced item. I thought if I renamed irritable with its Dutch translation it might be more palatable, but you know..., prikkelbarr is kind of funny-sounding. Who can stay irritable saying that? Be gone ye Prikkelbaar!

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, We are so human. We can lose focus by simple nuisances acting as gnats swarming near our face and lose sensibility by passing remarks heard through inflamed interpretations. Irritability is not necessarily a bad reaction. If there is enough stimulus or excitement applied, it will provoke a response. We may not be happy to have our cocoon challenged and infringed, but otherwise we could remain in a state of immaturity and isolation, not the abundant life of lessons and ventures that you have called us to engage. Let us be honest with ourselves so that we may address core conflicts within our own egos and not project inadvertent words as barbs. Let us practice statements and actions that will bring benevolence and refrain from making generalizations and jokes which may feed division. Make us irritable to the world's standards and seek the Balm of Gilead. Amen

There is a balm in Gilead,to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead,to heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my work's in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.
There is a balm in Gilead,to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead,to heal the sin-sick soul.

If you cannot preach like Peter,if you cannot pray like Paul,
you can tell the love of Jesus,and say, "He died for all."
There is a balm in Gilead,to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead,to heal the sin-sick soul.
-African-American spiritual