5/25/07

THINGS CHANGE

"There is a time for everything, and a season for
every activity under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

If I have learned one thing on this journey through life, it is that things change--often unexpectedly. Some of these changes have been welcome, some not, but even unwelcome change, if I look hard enough, usually contains a blessing easily overlooked until things change again and the gift is lost.

This aha moment took place for me some years ago when I found myself complaining about all the work coming in (I am self employed). Although I was grateful for the extra income, I was equally distressed that there was no time to clean, cook, sleep, and so on. Life became increasingly unbalanced as health and family were neglected, and I pushed myself to the point of utter stress and exhaustion.

Then one day, when I least expected it, the work dried up and I freaked out. I forgot about its seasonal pattern of feast or famine. I forgot that the Lord is still on the throne and has always taken care of my needs most faithfully. Instead I wound up immobilized by worry about what to do, and frittered away the gift of time.

Before I knew it things changed again. As suddenly as the work had dried up, it started coming in, and I found myself wishing I had that slow season back so I could catch up on my neglected chores and do some of the things I complain about never having time to do. I had never thought about it that way before. This was a moment of insight that totally changed my perspective.

More recently, when my walking partner first moved, going out alone to exercise was painful. I missed her so much, there was a very real void in my heart. At the same time, I realized that dwelling on that void wasn't going to change anything. Rather, I could view this as just another passing season, and accept its gift of solitude.

Instead of savoring the loneliness, I now listen to audio books while I walk. So engrossed do I become in what I'm listening to, that I find myself pushing to walk further and longer. And as I slowly rediscover this whole new world of books I thought I would never again have time for, I am reminded to never say never. But then that is another topic for another day.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Sandy -
    I found your blog from Joanne's blog!
    I loved this post. You go girl. You've inspired me. I keep talking myself out of walking - because being alone is freaky. But I think I might try it!
    Do you buy your books or get them from the library?

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  2. I borrow them from the library. Right now I'm listening to tapes, but they also have these little MP3 books on tape you can borrow. They are small enough to put in a pocket, but also come with a cord you can hang around your neck, and the library gives you free ear buds you can use and keep for future MP3s you borrow.

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  3. Joanne must get her love of books from you.
    And thanks for the comment about my header. I worked for 2 days on that and had to use 3 different programs and did the trial and error thing a jillion times before I finally got it.

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