It’s Been a While…

So much has happened; I wasn’t sure what to write about first. So, I’ll just flow to get back in the groove. To say that I’ve been busy is an understatement and I won’t go into why and with what…not yet anyway, let’s just say it’s been a while and I’m back!

I’ll touch on a topic that’s been tiptoeing on my nerves for a couple of weeks now: Complaining. We all do it, some more than others (A LOT more!) When I hear it in the distance, I’m able to avert my attention and block it out. Then there are those times when it’s up close and personal. This calls for more work on my mental and that’s when I get annoyed. I work hard on the regular, and someone else’s erratic behavior causes me to work harder gets under my skin.

Our country is still involved with a war, there are countries fighting against a regime for their freedom and their basic rights as citizens. There have been catastrophic events where thousands of lives were lost, cities destroyed, I can go on, but I’ll stop there and save it for another entry. With all of that going on, and that’s just a drop in the bucket in regards to world affairs, there are people who actually sit and complain about why the cafeteria doesn’t slice the cherry tomatoes. (??) My blood is starting to boil just thinking about the conversation again.

A woman I work with carried on for about a week complaining about the cafeteria’s lack of understanding for people who prefer their tomatoes sliced, diced, or simply cut in half. I tried really hard to ignore her, because she wasn’t actually talking to me. But her conversation carried over to my desk. To keep from butting in, I adjusted my earplugs and turned up my music. By the third day of her ranting, I guess she felt she didn’t have a big enough audience so she sauntered over to my desk and began her recitation. I stopped her in the middle of the second sentence with one question: “Why don’t you just bring your own lunch?” Instead of answering, she stared at me. Enjoying the silence, I proceeded to ask her how much had she gotten done since her Tomato Crusade, and how much energy had she wasted re-telling her story. I reminded her of the thousands of people that were killed in Japan, who will never be able to eat another tomato.

She turned and walked back to her desk. I haven’t heard anymore about slicing tomatoes or anything for that matter from her. That was about a week ago. ©

Things I’ve learned…©

There have been times when all I wanted to do was BE STILL. Everything was swirling around me at top speed and I had nothing to hold on to…but God.

But God – that was the answer. In the midst of every situation; good, bad, or indifferent, His provision was right there anchoring my sanity. I’ve read constantly that we are to Praise Him in EVERY circumstance, even when we don’t feel like it (a Sacrificial Praise)

Now, some people hear the word “Praise” and think they’ve got to shout and scream or run laps around a church. Praise is YOUR way of giving honor to God. Praise can be sitting quietly and offering up a Prayer of Thanks. Praise can be telling God how much you love Him and how much you appreciate what He has done and is doing in your life. Singing a song of Praise can be a form even if you can’t sing like The Clark Sisters (or just one of the Sisters!)

The Word says God inhabits the praises of His people. Think about that for a minute (or longer…) God inhabits in our Praises; He dwells, lives in, and resides in…our Praise! Imagine every time you open your mouth and give a sincere Praise to God – He stops and takes notice! Not only does our Father take notice, but also He stays a while!

I read that when Praise becomes a lifestyle, it has a domino effect. So, you Praise God for His goodness and others will His goodness in you and will be inspired to show goodness to someone else, and so on…(let that marinate…)

What I’ve Learned: The point is not what or how you Praise, just so long as you do it!

Things I’ve Learned (A possible series) ©

Walking around carrying ‘stuff’ isn’t good for your health. I recently felt myself creeping into that place where I have trouble sleeping, staying focused, and even have trouble breathing.

I sat down in a quiet place and wrote down everything I could think of that brought on this anxiety. I tried to leave them on the paper as I thought about them because some of them were still fresh. I could still taste them. After completing the list (yes, it was a list of them) I walked away to make some coffee. I returned with my favorite mug in hand and read through the collection that had become the culprit of my restlessness. I discovered 99 % of it didn’t belong to me!

I read each item aloud and as the words slipped from my lips, the realization became clearer with each syllable. It wasn’t mine! Issues with missed doctor’s appointment, problems with old flames, mortgage companies, sibling interference, and uncooperative neighbors, none of these belonged to me. Not only did they not belong to me, but really had very little to do with me.

I had served in the capacity of a sounding board for most and had subconsciously taken on each as my own. I had been carrying them around, juggling them and even lost sleep trying to figure them out while the rightful owners went on their merry way. Well, maybe not merry but close to it. Meanwhile, I’m irritable and snippy.

Well, I’m giving it all back - ALL of it! I’ll help when I can. I’ll listen when it’s needed, but I’m not taking it with me. I’m all for helping and guiding, but I have to learn (re-learn) how to help and not to load myself up with the problems of others.

So don’t be surprised if you open your door and find a small package.