Yes - that is the song that was running through my mind when I awoke this morning. I really wanted to go back to sleep - and did try to - but that song just kept playing. What is interesting about that song - I haven't heard it in forever and I have no idea why it was running through my mind this morning. So, obviously, I'm thinking I need to take notice as to why my mind thinks I am 'so blessed'. And I do have a lot of blessings to be thankful for. And so do you.
Pause for a moment - what ARE you thankful for? WHY do you feel you are blessed? You may feel that life is totally against you; that things are not what they should be - and you may very well be right. But you are here now, you are living and breathing. You have a place (more than likely) to lay your head, to keep your warm (or keep you cool), you have food to eat when you want it. Many of you have spouses or family who love you dearly. Some of you have jobs that you are passionate about - that you enjoy. You have a car that runs. You have good health - or you have good health care. Either way, for any of these, you are blessed. And for so much more. You have a God who loves you more than any one else could. THAT in itself, is a blessing.
I enjoyed hanging out with my boss yesterday but did leave early (for us) so that I could get home in plenty of time to prepare mentally for the board meeting I had yesterday. And of course, this had to happen. Right in the middle of the powerpoint presentation, my internet decided to 'drag' and I had a 'circle' of 'thinking' going on and could not move the slide. Brett had to jump in and bring up the powerpoint and he finished out the presentation. I finally got the internet to 'move on' and off that slide, but I let him finish out the meeting. It was only about an hour long as it was our first one. Now to work on minutes. Joy.
I have an 8AM training with Morgan this morning. Yes, I let her schedule me early in the mornings and then I work through lunch to make up my time. It's really no big deal. I can still get a workout in. Her mother has told her she won't babysit anymore - because she doesn't want to be 'tied down with the grandchildren'... which I understand, but..... So when Morgan's husband is gone for a week (every other week he has to stay wherever it is he works; I forget what it is) and she is on her own. Her mother used to babysit so she could work in the evenings - and now, because she has refused, Morgan can only do trainings in the mornings. Talk about trying to fit everyone in! She gets day care at the gym so that helps, but still. Next week her husband will be home to watch the kids so she can work both morning and evening a few hours - but learning how to do just mornings has been trying for her. I have offered to watch her two little girls if she has to work evenings to get a client in. Will see if she ever takes me up on the offer. It's not like we do much of anything in the evenings - at least I don't. If I don't have anything going on, surely I can help her out.
I shared with Sue, my boss, yesterday morning about how many liters of fluid was being removed weekly from my son's body. She explained something to me - as to why they stop at 10L versus emptying it all out. The reason is that if all of the fluid is removed, it creates more pressure on the internal organs (if I'm remembering this correctly) and can create more problems. With topping off a limit, even though it may still be uncomfortable, it allows the internal organs to still be 'cushioned' with the fluid versus trying to work their way back into place. I can't explain it right - but the way she explained it (and being a nurse, she knows her stuff), it made sense. I often wondered why they didn't remove all the fluid - and now I understand it. Somewhat. Still praying for a miracle.
Psalm 131:2 I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother.
How often, lately, have you found yourself anxious and uneasy? Nervous about life around you? Sure, the way this world is going - and the fighting with Iran, I'm sure there is a lot to be concerned about. We let so much concern us, don't we? And some of it we should. But there are times that we need to step back and just rest in God. We need to sit down, relax our body, and allow a calmness, and a quietness, to come over us, over our soul. It is in those moments that God can speak to us. That we can feel His presence. That He has our attention. And, yes, i tis like a weaned child with its mother. snuggled up against her, a child is at peace, knowing that they are loved and care for, and that they have all that they need for that moment.
How often do we take that pause? How often do we push that chair back and just sit and breathe? Try it - push away from whatever is in front of you. Feet on the ground. Body straight, resting in the chair. Close your eyes. Let the quietness of the room (yes, turn off all noise) filtrate through your mind, your body, and feel the flow of peace that can come with it. Keep your mind quiet; quit thinking of things you need to do, to get done. If necessary, take a quick moment and write it down so you can deal with it afterwards. But for this moment in time. Shhhhhhhh
Quiet. Silence. Solitude. P-e-a-c-e....
Remember what that feels like? Before your life took off in a thousand directions? Before your mind go so overloaded with dos and don'ts and life itself? Yes, you still have things to get done..... but for this moment in time, it belongs to you alone.
Enjoy this moment. Practice it often. Breathe deep. Hold. Exhale. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. A simple process, but it brings a calmness over us that we are too busy - as a rule - to even notice. Return to this practice each time you feel overwhelmed, in pain, in sorrow, in turmoil.... experience the peace that only God can give to you in the moments you give back to Him.
And with that.... I will leave you.... inhale, hold, exhale.... feel the presence of our Living God. Thank Him for His blessings... because you are so blessed....
Blessings!
