"Middle Snap"

That middle snap on my cowboy shirt,

Has given me quite the job,

Wants to pop loose at the strangest times,

And all my dignity rob.

I resnap it then and quickly so,

Nobody else can see,

Problem is, it won’t stay snapped,

And this distresses me.

No big deal my friends might say,

You’re not that overweight,

But when your pearl snap won’t stay put,

A diet’s running late.

Guess I’ll cut some calories,

Or maybe get a shot,

They say you use one once a week,

And, man, that weight’ll drop.

And maybe I’ll just push on back,

From the gravy that they pour,

Okay, I’ll have a little bit,

Not ask for so much more.

Less dessert and sugar, too,

I’ll stretch and bend and turn,

Actively go through the day,

Those calories to burn.

And later when you see me out,

My snap won’t plumb pop loose,

And I’ll be happy as can be,

‘Cause my belly did reduce,

Or maybe I relaxed my fit,

More blousy is the way,

That extra large, it feels so good,

That’s all that I can say.

“Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down…”(Hebrews 12:1, NLT)

We are called to be spiritual weight-watchers. Anything that slows us down needs to be discarded. It’s different with different people, but the Spirit will help us discern the baggage that impedes our progress. Later in the chapter the writer of Hebrews describes what must be the weightiest hindrance of all. It’s called a “root of bitterness,” and occurs when we don’t forgive others that way God has forgiven us. It’s poisonous, both to ourselves and others. If we’re honest we know what slows us down. Get proactive and get rid of it.

Lord, help us drop every weight that slows us down, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tim Cox, used by permission. Thanks, Tim, and God bless you.