Having been in a sort of blah place where nothing is wrong but not much is right either I have asked God what to do when, to be honest, I didn't really want to do anything. I have thought that I might come to a place where I leave all this blah feeling behind immediately, stepping out of it like a pencil skirt at the end of the day and becoming free. Instead, I am finding that I am moving forwards again, albeit slowly, as circumstances change and I actually do some stuff.
First, the hole in the ground by our pipes has been filled and the phone is mended. Call me a surface kind of person and you would essentially be right. Had as I try to rise above my circumstances, when things are suffering then so am I. Cue improvement in mood.
Then, nose to the grindstone and get the work done that needed doing. Procrastination is all very well when there is football to watch but when I have stuff piling up I start to feel a bit like that woman on the advert for laxative pills - you know, a bit bloated and flabby. So catching up with stuff I HAD to do, both at home and work and being able to give it a satisfying tick in my ticky book also helped my mood.
On a slightly more spiritual note, and requiring slightly more effort from someone who has not really been hit too hard with the spiritual Christian stick, is a morning ritual. In this case I am defining ritual as a religious habit which I don't think is the dictionary definition but don't bother me with trivialities.
For better people than me the shower is where they do their best thinking. For me, the shower is where I get my revenge. I make some of my best "No! You listen to me..." speeches in the shower. It's not a great way to start the day. So when I came across this in Chronicles
They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord.
1 Chronicles 23 v 30
It made me think. I am doing the standing already. Maybe it would be better to fill my head with God, every morning, rather than than worry and fear, while I stand, in the shower. It's a ritual. A habit. Something good to follow. Something that lets God in and helps me start the day with him rather than just me. It's a bit wet but I don't think God is bothered.
My conversations with Jesus are at the kitchen sink....and sometimes in the car (usually need to speak to Jesus about another driver!).
ReplyDeleteJane x
Probably better to speak to Jesus than to the driver :-)
DeleteIs that the woman who fills her handbag with food? or another advert?
ReplyDeleteI have taken to standing with my head bowed in the shower- the force of the water on the back of my neck/shoulders is a sort of invigorating blessing. Much Water is OK, I am a Baptist.
Struggling with the whole Guidance thing myself right now, and feeling guilty because we had a brilliant sermon about it on Sunday morning and now I cannot remember much of it. Too stressed and tired ot think straight. [or tpye straigth]
Praying for Adrian Plass, who has just had a stroke. The man is SO honest about his relationship with God, and has helped so many. May God help him and Bridget through this tough time. My problems are trivial in comparison.
goodnight.
blessings xxx
I read about Adrian yesterday. I don't think there is a Christian in Britain that hasn't been blessed by him. Praying all is well
DeleteGlad to hear your feeling a little brighter. Love your morning ritual idea. I tend to plan my day whilst in the shower begin the day.
ReplyDeleteX x
Planning is good. Much more positive than my mornings in the shower
DeleteSister Felicity, Poor Clare nun, quoting Sister Angela, another Poor Clare nun: "When God sends us tribulation, he means us to tribulate!" xx
ReplyDelete