Elbow Grease
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105 NIV)

As a first grade teacher, I realized that little hands cover sneezes, and little fingers wind up in noses and other unsanitary places. Germs can easily pass to classroom surfaces and eventually to other children. In an effort to improve hygiene, I presented lessons on how sickness can spread. I stressed the importance of proper hand washing. Every few weeks, I would have the students wipe there desktops with sanitizer and a paper towel.

During one of our desk cleaning times, six-year-old Michael came to me and said, “I can’t get the pencil marks off my desk.”

“Well,” I said, “I guess you could try using a little more elbow grease.”

He nodded his head and went back to work.

A few minutes later, I noticed Michael with his head down on the desk crying. “Michael,” I said, “what’s the matter?”

“I can’t find the elbow grease,” he answered.

I comforted him, explaining about figurative language, and told him elbow grease could be found in his own elbow.

Michael needed to use “elbow grease” to complete the job. In the same way, when our gracious God gives us assignments to complete for His Kingdom, He expects us to use some of our own “elbow grease.” We are also blessed with directions from God’s word, the Bible, and the power of the Holy Spirit providing the abilities and gifts to accomplish God’s desire in our lives.

Dear Lord, help us to learn Your Word and hide it in our hearts and minds, so that when You call on us, we are equipped, with the help of your Holy Spirit, to carry out Your will.

© Christy Struben 2010