DISCOMBOBULATED

Recently Roz was talking to a neighbor and the woman told her that ‘she was discombobulated.’ Knowing some of this neighbor’s circumstances it was a clear definition of what was going on with her.

Discombobulated means confusion or disorder. What was also clear to us was that we had not heard someone use that word in a long time. I have it heard it occasionally through the years but when I was growing up my grandmother and mother both often used that word when wanting to describe confusion or disorder. (Maybe they had good reasons for using that word.)

Upon rethinking this word, it so completely describes the social and cultural condition right now, especially in America. It defines politics, religion, gender wars, economic factors, media, jobs, housing, and much more. Another definition says: ‘it is to throw into a state of mental uncertainty, baffled.’ That’s descriptive.

Part of living with faith, hope and love is to combobulate. That is ‘to compose (one’s self); to compose, organize, design, or arrange; to reverse the effect of discombobulation.’ Or, ‘to put together in order. To bring something out of a state of confusion or disarray.’ That’s the Kingdom way.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Jesus