New Pillows

 My wife came home last night with two new pillows under her arm. She said, “Here these are for you.” 

 

I was reclining in the bed reading leaning on my good old faithful pillows I’ve had for years. I’ve slept with these friends and cuddled with them as much as I’ve cuddled with my wife. They’ve been with me while I was sick, sleepy, resting, and full of joy and happiness.  They’ve given me wonderful dreams. I love my two old squishy friends. 

 

She said, “They have drool stains all over them. You’ve sweated on them to the point where they stink. It’s time for them to go. They’re not staying in my bed.”

 

She had laid down the gauntlet, it was either new pillows or sleeping with the dogs.

 

I asked, “What am I supposed to do with these old ones?” 

 

“Throw them out!”

 

Argh, I couldn’t imagine abandoning my old friends after all of these years. Reluctantly I got up, pulled them out of their covers and walked them to the trash. I gave them one last hug, thanked them, and dropped them in the can. 

 

I felt like a betrayer. 

 

I went back in the bedroom, took the new pillows out of the plastic wrapping, and put them in the cases and crawled into bed prepared for a terrible night sleep. 

 

When I woke in the morning, I realized something. The crick in my neck was gone. I had a fantastic night sleep. I loved the new pillows! Why in the world had I waited so long before I got something new! Was it just because the pillows I had were known, and comfortable? Why had it taken me so long to recognize they were worn out?! 

 

Sometimes I think people approach life and new ideas like old pillows. The life they’re currently living is known, it’s comfortable, they know what to expect and how to behave. They like their old ideas and don’t want to be challenged. They’re like the older gentlemen in my church who in response to a sermon on passion and desire said, “What does this have to do with me?” 

 

He needed to have his pillows fluffed. 

 

Sometimes the lives we’re living have drool marks on them. We’ve sweated them out to the point where they . . . well, they stink. 

 

It’s time for something new! New life, new ideas, new visions, new passions, new desires!

 

It’s ok to leave the comfortable behind and venture into the new. New is an adventure, it’s fun, it’s exciting. 

 

I know, me talking about new . . . 

 

This coming from the guy who’s lived in the same house for the past 38 years, have had the same church for 39 years, and have the same wife after 47 years, and the same kids for 35 years. As much as I talk about new, I kind of like the comfortable.

 

This is why I always like to challenge myself to learn, explore, and expand my intellectual and spiritual horizons. I might not like to move physically, but I love to be moved spiritually. 

 

What is the new in your life? Where is your curiosity leading you? 

 

I encourage to not wait until someone says, “Change or sleep with the dogs.” 

 

Believe it or not, it might just be the most wonderful thing you can give yourself. 

 

Out with the drool and into the new!

 

 

Listen to my podcast, Cowboy Jesus, on Podbean and Spotify https://cowboyjesus.podbean.com