Strong Finish
A minute of thought
is better than an hour of talk.
John Maxwell
Not gonna lie. The last few weeks have been tough. The 90-day protocol for Hashimoto's is completed on May 19th. This last segment is focused on reducing stress. I have no doubt why God started me on this protocol when he did. In the next few weeks, my son will turn 16, get his driver's license, my daughter will get confirmed, and graduate from middle school. Soccer season is in full swing, We are remodeling our kitchen, my daughter has PT for a chronic injury, and I recently got promoted at work. It would appear that I certainly need to focus on reducing stress.
But how?
When my children were young, I was blessed to work part-time. Reflecting on those times, I recall I didn't have difficulty waiting for stoplights and I didn't get angry at other drivers. But something's happened since returning to work full time 6 years ago. My fuse is admittedly short and generosity has withered.
The protocol book gives basic and practical tools for reducing stress. It's obvious I need more sleep. It's obvious I need to balance new commitments against what I am presently committed to. Yet I was still exhausted, and frankly, passionless, joyless. I was missing an essential practice- personal devotion and meditation time.
When I worked part-time, every day was spent with a purpose. Focusing on my children and raising them to know Jesus and to have a personal relationship with God. I spent time in daily meditation because I couldn't give my kids what I didn't possess. I needed spiritual and emotional healing so that I could give to them what God gave to me. I didn't want to give them my past- painful poor ways of relating, and my own bitterness and regret. I wanted them to have the gifts from God, life and love, peace and joy, contentment, and gratitude. In being healed, I was able to give it to them.
When I returned to work, the time devoted to meditation was greatly reduced. Times of meditation and prayer became just another box to check, scheduled into my day, as opposed to delighted in. So this past weekend, as I was in physical pain, I am reminded of the past joys and benefits of meditation. Indeed, I am reaffirming my commitment to daily meditation and prayer. Not out of obligation or religious commitment, but out of a longing and the need to remember the truth about my existence, my purpose, and my dignity.
Walk in a manner worthy of your calling. Those were the powerful words of my meditation on Saturday. Though I may look okay on the outside, I know that my walk has not been reflective of my calling. My heart has been in a place of brokenness and sadness and emptiness. And that's not something a person or hobby can heal. Joy and contentment are gifts from Heaven itself and one which requires my active participation. Confessing a preoccupation with making people happy, I chose a life of purpose and conviction.
is better than an hour of talk.
John Maxwell
Not gonna lie. The last few weeks have been tough. The 90-day protocol for Hashimoto's is completed on May 19th. This last segment is focused on reducing stress. I have no doubt why God started me on this protocol when he did. In the next few weeks, my son will turn 16, get his driver's license, my daughter will get confirmed, and graduate from middle school. Soccer season is in full swing, We are remodeling our kitchen, my daughter has PT for a chronic injury, and I recently got promoted at work. It would appear that I certainly need to focus on reducing stress.
But how?
When my children were young, I was blessed to work part-time. Reflecting on those times, I recall I didn't have difficulty waiting for stoplights and I didn't get angry at other drivers. But something's happened since returning to work full time 6 years ago. My fuse is admittedly short and generosity has withered.
The protocol book gives basic and practical tools for reducing stress. It's obvious I need more sleep. It's obvious I need to balance new commitments against what I am presently committed to. Yet I was still exhausted, and frankly, passionless, joyless. I was missing an essential practice- personal devotion and meditation time.
When I worked part-time, every day was spent with a purpose. Focusing on my children and raising them to know Jesus and to have a personal relationship with God. I spent time in daily meditation because I couldn't give my kids what I didn't possess. I needed spiritual and emotional healing so that I could give to them what God gave to me. I didn't want to give them my past- painful poor ways of relating, and my own bitterness and regret. I wanted them to have the gifts from God, life and love, peace and joy, contentment, and gratitude. In being healed, I was able to give it to them.
When I returned to work, the time devoted to meditation was greatly reduced. Times of meditation and prayer became just another box to check, scheduled into my day, as opposed to delighted in. So this past weekend, as I was in physical pain, I am reminded of the past joys and benefits of meditation. Indeed, I am reaffirming my commitment to daily meditation and prayer. Not out of obligation or religious commitment, but out of a longing and the need to remember the truth about my existence, my purpose, and my dignity.
Walk in a manner worthy of your calling. Those were the powerful words of my meditation on Saturday. Though I may look okay on the outside, I know that my walk has not been reflective of my calling. My heart has been in a place of brokenness and sadness and emptiness. And that's not something a person or hobby can heal. Joy and contentment are gifts from Heaven itself and one which requires my active participation. Confessing a preoccupation with making people happy, I chose a life of purpose and conviction.
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