Were you aware that a small, 10-foot strand of innocent-looking Christmas lights could be a very real source of frustration?

Just recently, In an effort to usher in good old Christmas cheer at our house, my husband and I grabbed several strands of lights used to adorn our outside entryway and went to work putting them up.

Anthony propped up the stepladder while I hummed Winter Wonderland to myself.  I then unwound and handed him strand after strand. 

After stringing five strands together and winding them hither, thither, and yon, we grabbed the extension cord needed to plug our masterpiece in to the outdoor socket and realized we had a problem – the end we finished with wouldn’t plug in to the end we had available on the extension cord.

Frustration surfaced as we unwound everything we’d done in order to turn all our strands around and correct our thoughtless error. 

In the grand scheme of things, this small incident was really no big deal, you know?  But, how often in our day-to-day lives do we encounter minor frustrations of various kinds and absolutely lose our peace and joy?

Song of Solomon, a beautiful Old Testament book, is full of poetic imagery and detail depicting the various ups and downs of a couple in love.

As the happy couple in Song of Solomon prepare for their big day, a comment is made in Chapter 2 that has ramifications much broader than just marriage.

“Catch us…the foxes – the little foxes that ruin the vineyard…” (vs. 15)

These “little foxes” were a very real thing in Israel when Song of Solomon was written.  No more than 15-inches high, these little critters would dart in and out of vineyards, eat the blossoming fruit, and leave the vines to die.

How many times have we yielded to “little foxes” of frustration in our daily walk?  Small irritations that we replay over and over in our minds that wind up chipping away at the joy in our hearts?  Tiny letdowns that we allow to eat away at the good fruit that God has been growing in us?

It could be anything from a crunchy conversation with a family member or coworker to a customer in line ahead of you at the grocery store needing one too many price checks.

Examples of what may and can frustrate us on a day-to-day basis are endless, aren’t they?  But our solution is always the same – Jesus.  He is our hiding place and our peace when those foxes of frustration rear their little heads.

Today, my friend, I pray that anytime you encounter a little fox, you would take a deep breath, look to Jesus, and remember that He always gives mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. (Heb. 4:16)

Until next time, Grace and Glory!