This week wasn't what I expected, it wasn't full of productivity in my home or gardens....instead there was a very active hamster in my head that just wouldn't give up his wheel. His sweat became my tears, his body aches became my heartache. Unfortunately he kept the endorphins for himself and didn't share those. Selfish bugger.
Keeping focused on the positive in all things, the ability to laugh and see the silver lining, the lovely in the disaster.....is an attitude I try so hard to maintain. When the heart aches and the mind reels from the sheer extremes it encounters in a short period of time.....the dizzy spinning makes it hard to maintain focus on any one thing.
This morning I am struck with opportunity. The hustle of morning routine is cut short, no school today means there is only my Mr to send off this morning. As I approached my desk with my big mug of coffee (it's a big mug morning - yes, yes, I know that's more points because it's more dessert than coffee. Stop pooing my parade...I'm trying to be positive here), I noticed the sun shining in the dirty front window and smiled at the highlighted "nose art" the little dogs left behind. Mr called as he pulled out of the driveway because he didn't want me to miss seeing the pair of ducks just sitting in the front yard. From where I sit right now I can see the beautiful pale green of developing leaves emerging on once bare branches. Stuff to smile about.
Growth is usually accompanied by growing pains. Also accompanied by some awkwardness as things slowly find their balance again. Growth is tremendously valuable....as is pain. There are few other things in life that allow us to come along side each other and provide comfort. To be able to say "I understand" as a truth is a comfort that cannot be purchased. To have people not just speak but show you how valuable you are to them, what you have added to their life, is priceless.
Make it a priority in life to both speak and show people how much value they add to your life. Write letters, bring flowers, hugs and words of praise and encouragement. Speaking and showing are both equally important, sometimes verbal words ring hollow but physical efforts - pen to paper, time to write it out, time to choose something that has meaning deeper than appearances, the knowledge of being thought of beyond your use - "I saw this and it reminded me of you" - there are a million ways to show someone without grand gestures. Often, those simple little things are the grandest gestures....the most cherished memories.
A simple letter. I wrote here how I felt I should share with someone the positive impact they had on my life. Never had I imagined that she questioned her value or that she'd made any positive contribution to the life of another. It was one of those moments where the impact my letter had on her, snapped back and impacted me as well......that we should never assume by appearances, actions or assumptions that anyone truly knows how valued they are. When we assume they know just how loved, amazing and valued they are we are withholding blessing from them...... Depriving them of a gift, where we step in and give them a gift that beats the devil back for them and stop the mental momentum that they are completely disposable and wouldn't be missed if they were snuffed out right this moment.
Imagine that moment in a movie where the bad guy is standing just behind a door, gun in hand, facing their next victim. All of a sudden that unknowing person flings open the door, smashing into the bad guy, knocking the gun away and the bad guy out cold. Saving the other person without having even been aware that anything was going on. Without intention, they are a hero. You can be a hero simply by telling someone else, that they are yours.
As people we are much more apt to share with someone when they have offended us, than when they have had a positive impact on us.......when you really stop to think about that....it's kinda twisted. Reproof and correction are necessary for growth in life, I'm not saying it shouldn't be addressed but the balance is what I'm concerned with. Anger and rejection are more often aired out than encouragement and blessing....praise of an other's greatness.
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
a stranger, not your own lips.
Prov. 27:2
Its important to praise goodness. Everyone needs encouragement.....it brings balance to the lies, the negative self talk......the temptations of the enemy to bring us right back to the dirt with him. We need to be quick to praise....quick to see the lovely in those around us.....even when we have to dig deep for it.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
as God in Christ forgave you. Eph. 4:32
Blessings for tender and forgiving hearts this Easter, may He shine through you and on you.
the Mrs.
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