I usually shy away from all things nutty.
I’m not a fan of nutty donuts at Donna’s.
I have long supported a ban on Pistachio ice cream.
I like my Hersey chocolate sans almonds.
And if you push me for an opinion, I believe only little old ladies should ever eat Coconut Cream Pies.

I didn’t like either Nutty Professor movie (Jerry Lewis or Eddie Murphy).
I’ve never roasted chestnuts on an open fire and don’t know why anyone would.
And the only thing good about Hickory is when their basketball team beat South Bend Central High School for the state championship (This obscure Hoosier movie reference is for my friend Jake who is from Indiana and whose wife just had a baby).

My avoidance of nuts is not a hard and fast rule. It was not written in stone. Nowhere in 2nd Hezekiah does it say, “Thou shalt not have nuts in thy food, neither shalt thy children eat-th nuts; thou shall have neither cashew nor hazelnut; thou shall not consume peanuts or Brazil nuts; pecans and walnuts shall not be partaken until the fourth generation.” It doesn’t say that.

I do not lookdown on my nut-consuming friends. And in a point of confession, I must admit that I’m a little inconsistent in my nut aversion. I hope this does not make me a nut hypocrite. I have been known to order cashew chicken at Chinese restaurants. I even like a handful of mixed nuts from time to time. Although I draw the line at eating Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, and Filberts and will steadfastly refuse them unless a gun is pointed in my direction. (Point of reference: “Filbert” is a dumb name for a nut. It is the nerd of the nut family and if three nuts are standing in line, you could recognize the Filbert by its pocket protector and white socks with black shoes).

Why reveal my nutty distain?

This week has been a little nutty and I don’t like those types of weeks either.

It’s just been “one of those” weeks. We all have them from time to time. Not everything has been bad, just nutty. My week has included a trip to Illinois to see Ben begin his sophomore year (yeah!); 40 injections in my bean (boo!); another doctor’s visit (it has yet to be determined if that appointment will result in a “yeah” or a “boo”); dealing with some nutty aspects of aging in-laws; and upon my return from “the Land of Lincoln” I’ve had a nutty and crazy busy schedule of appointments, meetings and sermon preparation (Rule of Thumb #247: When away from one’s desk for two days, upon returning there will be 12 days worth of emails, phone messages and things to do. At least it seems that way). All of that adds up to a nutty week.

It’s times like these I need to be reminded of some wonderful verses buried in the Book of Psalms:

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. (Psalm 40:1-3)

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

And one of my all time favorite psalms:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)

Whether your week as been joyous and great or a little bit nutty like mine, be still and know that God is still God and He will be our strength, help and hope!