Emoticons and Eggshells

Ooooo boy have I been cranky the last few days. We've been going at a pretty break-neck pace the last several... weeks? months? and I'm just plum wore out. But it's not just me who's worn out... every. single. person. in our family has been crankier than normal. Which makes breathing too loudly feel like walking on egg shells. Granted, it could be worse, but it could be a whole lot better, too.

And I know a lot of this crankyness in others is partly my fault. Us daughters are like the emoticons after each sentence that goes on in our homes. Example:
The kitchen's a mess. :(
The kitchen's a mess. >:{
The kitchen's a mess. :-/
The kitchen's a mess. :-|
The kitchen's a mess. :P
The kitchen's a mess. :)
The kitchen's a mess. :D

See how just those few little symbols can make all the the difference in the way you read the sentence? If treat everything with a grouchy face at the end, all those around me will also take the grouchy view. If I put a big ol' toothy smile, everyone (hopefully) will also grin.

Lame analogy, I know. But stay with me, please. :D (see?)

Honestly, though, I'm even too tired to type a capital D for the :D these days- how am I going to make the real corners of my mouth turn up in joy and pleasure? I'm not gonna be able to do it. But I know Someone who can help a whole lot.

I have a song stuck in my head right now. (surprise, surprise) It's called Walk On Water, by Audio Adrenaline? I'm not sure that's who sung the version I've heard, but these are the lyrics:

Simon Peter won't you put those nets down? Follow me, I'll lead you out of this town, to a place where no boat has ever been; I will make you a fisher of men.

Jesus walked out on the water, said "Take courage, it is me." Peter trusted and he wanted to go farther, so he stepped out on the sea.

If I keep my eyes on Jesus I can walk on water. If I Keep my eyes on him, I can walk on water.

 Just like Peter I want to go farther; tread on the sea and walk on the water; step where he steps and go where he goes, side by side when the sea billows roll. I'll be alright when the wind comes. I'll be alright when the waves come crashing. I'm not afraid, for this is my father's world.

If I keep my eyes on Him, I can walk on water.

Water's kinda... wet. and cold. and delicate. Like eggshells. Except totally not.

I feel like I've been walking on egg shells the last few days- trying not to crack anyone else while I'm still trying to figure out my next step. Trying so hard to not bust in a million peices when things go awry. I've been focusing on trying to lighten my load so I don't tread too hard.

But I can't lighten my load by myself. The eggshells are already in a million peices because of me. (since when did I start conversing in terms of EGG SHELLS?? :P) If I keep my eyes on Him, I can walk on water. Or eggshells. If I keep my eyes on HIM. Jesus knows about stepping on toes. He knows what is so heavy on my shoulders. He knows about being tired. He was human once too... and He created these eggshells I'm using as an analogy.

If I keep my eyes on Him, I can walk on water.

I can put a capital D smiley on the end of every sentence of our lives.

I can laugh at the days to come.

I can not be grouchy.

I can raise the corners of my mouth in real joy.

Because He is my Savior. The One who knows these eggshells are great exfoliation for my feet. (Man I have a weird thought process tonight). The One who has called me to walk on eggshells with a huge smile on my face and my eyes firmly fixed on Him.

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but be ye holy as He who called you is holy" ~ 1 Peter 1:14-15, the verse that has been hanging in our shower for a week or two. :D