As I'm laying on the couch, trying to take a nap, my mind is racing. I'm inundated with thoughts. But luckily, I've been able to sort most of them into 2 main categories. Neither topic, on its own, would be long enough for its own blog post. So today, I'm combining them into one long, awesome, and somewhat deep post.
Patience:
- Patience is a virtue.
- Good things come to those who wait.
- Dear Lord...Grant me the patience to endure my Blessings!
- Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. ~John Quincy Adams
- Take it slow. It'll work itself out fine. All we need is just a little patience. ~Guns 'n' Roses
- If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? ~God (Morgan Freeman in Evan Almighty)
The Guns 'n' Roses one, primarily because it goes hand-in-hand with FAITH (yeah, yeah...Guns 'n' Roses is probably not the most spiritual group out there, but still...). There are some things we don't have control of. And for those, we must turn them over to God, be patient, and have faith. In fact, I just stumbled across a picture that goes right along with this:
And the Evan Almighty one reminds me that God works in mysterious ways. Your plan and your timing aren't necessarily (and usually aren't) the same as God's. It also reminds me to be careful what you wish for. I know I've got myself PLENTY of opportunities to be patient...I'm pretty sure that I don't need to pray for more. Heaven help me, if I do!
Perspective:
Life is truly all about perspective:
My dear brother-in-law, Joel, posted this on his facebook page the other day:
Perspective:
My dear brother-in-law, Joel, posted this on his facebook page the other day:
"Have you noticed that many people have such a tendency to say things like, "can't Friday hurry up and get here" or "I wish this day was over" etc... I am certain I have made similar comments on occasion but it just seems to me you are wishing your life away. I think part of it is pressure from society to say those things. You know how your uncle's and such always would say, "don't ever get married...", even though they loved being married. It's almost like society wants us to be cynical so we follow that lead. My concern is it's almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy when you choose that attitude to speak over your life.
Life IS the journey, not a destination. As I get older I find this more and more to be true. It's figuring out how to be a better Christian (or person if you prefer) every day. It's fighting temptation and winning every once in a while. It's telling the devil to watch out and trusting in the power given by the spirit. It's about dealing with the strains and stress of life and learning from them so you don't have to repeat them next Monday. It is about making even one person's day better by a smile, a kind word or a chocolate covered strawberry.
I love life, always have and I know I am lucky for that. I screw up more than anyone I know and get myself into situations that only humility and honesty can get me out of. But I wake up every morning and make a choice on what my attitude toward life is going to be that day. Will I happen to life, or let life happen to me.
I know so many people just like this that take life by the horn and ride it until they get bucked off....then they just get back on. Speak life over yourself, your family and friends, and even perfect strangers. Make the days count...don't just count the days."
Life IS the journey, not a destination. As I get older I find this more and more to be true. It's figuring out how to be a better Christian (or person if you prefer) every day. It's fighting temptation and winning every once in a while. It's telling the devil to watch out and trusting in the power given by the spirit. It's about dealing with the strains and stress of life and learning from them so you don't have to repeat them next Monday. It is about making even one person's day better by a smile, a kind word or a chocolate covered strawberry.
I love life, always have and I know I am lucky for that. I screw up more than anyone I know and get myself into situations that only humility and honesty can get me out of. But I wake up every morning and make a choice on what my attitude toward life is going to be that day. Will I happen to life, or let life happen to me.
I know so many people just like this that take life by the horn and ride it until they get bucked off....then they just get back on. Speak life over yourself, your family and friends, and even perfect strangers. Make the days count...don't just count the days."
And my sister let me know about a friend of hers whose son is dying. At this point he's been given days, or maybe only hours left. Their story and the pictures I have seen just break my heart. But they've also given me a healthy dose of perspective. This was a particularly difficult and stressful week for me at school. And on Friday, every time I caught myself wishing for the hours to speed up I thought about this woman who is cherishing these same hours with her son and wishing for more. Every time I caught myself getting frustrated with my kids who were fighting, being rude, and annoying I thought about how incredibly blessed I am to have kids who are healthy enough to drive me nuts. It makes me think of the St. Jude's ads:
Maybe now, I can get some rest?
Probably not.
