It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." ... John 6:63
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In the old days, like, five years ago when my brain was yet unbroken, I could find solutions for problems of all kinds in, oh, 15 minutes or a half-hour, tops. Just give me a few moments alone, in silence, and I could (creatively, even) fix just about anything, be it a temporary fix or a permanent one.
But now? Gah. We're talking years to come up with what once took minutes.
Like, on cool spring afternoons, it's too cold to sit on either of our patios so I'd grab a towel (and a book and glasses) and sit on the damp lawn to read until that became uncomfortable. Or I'd pull on extra clothes and brave a shady porch until I began shivering. Or I'd just sit inside the house in front of the sunny windows and wish I could sit outside.
The sad thing? It took me 2 years and 8 months to think of this:
(Green! Green! Do you see all that green?)
... just bringing down this wicker chair and table from the porch, setting them in the sunshine and reading there. For hours, comfortably.
As Charlie Brown would say, "I don't know. I just don't know."
Now, if this was the only example I could give you, it would be no big deal. But there are many, many more.
Sigh. I'm taking my vitamins, walking, exercising trying to remember to exercise, eating more 'brain food' and sleeping great, actually, since I created that room in my closet. (Oh, and also since Naomi told me taking vitamin D3 before bedtime is a no-no once your body's caught up on it.)
Yet actually, I think it's all a matter of my head and imagination slowing down because I am, er, older now. I used to be a 'spring chicken,' but that young thing flew away years ago and I have changed. Times have changed, this old body has changed and --- blah, blah, blah.
But the good news? Thank-goodness God hasn't changed. And you know that verse that says don't worry about what to say when you're questioned about your faith, because the Holy Spirit will give you the right words? Well, along those lines, I'm thinking that with all this slowing down, I'll just need to lean more on Him. Rely on His abilities way more-- minute-by-minute more--trusting that if something needs an immediate solution, He will bring it to my mind. Immediately.
Otherwise, may He grant me the patience and trust (and calm) that He'll bring creative solutions to my head at His right time. And the acceptance, the knowing that all will be well anyway. May I rely upon His perfect ideas, not my flawed ones. His timing, too.
And really, that's not such a bad way to live at all.
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"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day." ... 2 Corinthians 4:16
"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." ... Galations 2:20
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Free kindle books as of today, May 19th:
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Must say.... I'm pretty happy with the way my new header photo turned out! Gives Hobbit Cottage a sort of Green Gables vibe and perhaps a tad bit of Stillmeadow as well? :)
5 comments:
I am this way a lot lately and thought it was only me. If fact I told my friend that when I say something I'm trying to help but if you don't like it ignore me because I could be wrong.
You set up a cozy reading spot in the sun. I am slower in thinking of solutions too, it is a part of aging, dear friend, in addition to your situation. Yes, God is unchanging and we can rely upon Him.
Yes, aging changes us! For so many years I had to juggle...so many irons in the fire. Now that I have the luxury of slowing down, I find I'm happier. Whenever the urge strikes, I stop for a cup of tea; sometimes I walk outdoors just to gaze at the clouds. There was a time when I would have felt like that was a waste of time. No more. Even though it might take me longer to do a task, and I don't have the physical strength of my youth, life is good. If only I had a tree like the one in your header, Debra, life would be GREAT! How beautiful!! Is it a dogwood?
Well, join the crowd, dearie...things take longer now...but tis ok. Probably whatever needs to be done, will be done...in the right time. I sometimes think we in this country push ourselves way too far.
Enjoy the warmer weather!! Before it gets too hot. Today was so perfect here...got a lot of work done painting the white picket fence...in shade time and with a cool breeze...just right.
Elizabeth in WA
Thanks, Everyone! Glad to know I'm not the only one getting older. :)
Pam-- it's actually a cranberry tree. They do look similar to dogwoods at times!
Blessings, Debra
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