This picture was taken from our dock and you can see all of the barnacles on the piling; the longer they are allowed to grow, the greater their adhesion.  We have to remove them from the boats because they will slow us down and cost more fuel.

I think on occasion there are things in our lives that resemble barnacles, slowing us down, causing a “drag” so to speak, that can feel like a large noose around our neck.  Sometimes, these can be what the bible describes as hindrances, weights, or besetting sins.  At other times, it’s just something that shouldn’t be a priority in our life, but we’ve fallen into bad habits, or we know something is bugging us, but it’s in our power to rectify it (this one is often one of my issues due to procrastination) and we haven’t.

If your goal is like mine, to live life to the fullest, to run this race with all you’ve got, then at times we have to take inventory.  We have to look at our lives with eyes of faith and a sense of our purpose and recognize and accept when change is necessary.  Sometimes, we even have relationships with people who are spewing forth cynicism and gloom and doom, bringing us down.  In this area, of course, we must handle with love and kid gloves and always try to help and encourage first.  We don’t want to hurt others, but we can’t forever be the receptacle for all things negative, either.

Spring is on it’s way and is always a good time for cleaning house (inside and out)!  So, I guess it’s time to get out the gloves, pressure cleaner and the scrapers and get busy.