All tagged the view from My Chair
Slipping out of my professional armour, I pull on my comfortable yoga pants, loosely layered, soft tops and a puffy black coat that some poor duck gave it’s feathers for. Slipping my feet into the neon running shoes, I head out into the blackness to wash my soul of the mind numbing busyness that I so easily slip into. There is just something about frigid temperatures; clear black nights; and crunchy ground that clears my soul.
Stuck? What's in Your Hands?
Gently sliding out of my 1000 count Egyptian Cotton sheets, I wrestle my well-developed legs into my favorite pair of yoga pants. Quickly finishing dressing, I grab my ipad and head out the door to get some writing done before the world awakens.
I adore early Saturday mornings when the world is bathed in mist and the sun is still a promise. It is my favorite day of the week! I reserve the morning portion entirely for me and my Creator to get some writing done and the afternoon for whatever relaxing activity I bump into. I always wear my favorite yoga pants and fluorescent pink Nike tennis shoes with no socks. My top attire varies according to activity and mood. As a high-functioning Asperger adult, texture is EVERYTHING, and Saturdays I get to wear all my favorites even if they don’t need to match.
This Saturday is no different. Landing at a corner table, I set up shop and start to write. Instantly, I am distracted by a shuffling human, slowly making its way toward the coffee shop. It is frigid outside and this human looks like it might not make it to this warm environment. Returning to my task at hand, I try to ignore the niggling whisper. This human is now at the door, just about two feet from me. I look up and our eyes meet. He is just standing there.
Just Show Up! - Philippians 2:4
Moving like a Tinman that still needed to be seriously greased, I methodically packed one more box. Exhaustion makes a nasty companion. Anyone else ever feel that way? Two o’clock had somehow sneaked up on us and we were still working on packing the first room. Exhausted emotionally and mentally, I stood calculating just how long this was going to take us. Silently, a small electrical shock wove its way from my wrist, up my arm, and to my numbed brain. An offer of assistance was being made from an unexpected source.
STAND, just STAND! - Ephesians 6:11
Finding itself loosed from the long imprisoned cage deep inside of my being, raw fear made its way slowing up to my heart. It perched like a gargoyle above a city taunting me to look at it. I knew just one glance would give it permission to enter and destroy the peace that reigned in my heart and mind.
Caught in an emotional hurricane, I could feel the intensity of this battle increasing by each text message that arrived. Here are a few of them, “You should’ve never created me.” Seconds later, “I want to die.” Moments after that, “I’ll be dead before the day is over anyways.”
Do this Third
See this lady? (The one on the right.) She has called out things in my life that are both gifts and things that needed to change. She has spoke life into me. She has allowed me to interrupt her life with my struggles. She has taught me to pray and believe. She has walked me into the inner sanctuary of His presence and stood nearby as He healed my heart. She wakes up and often prays for me, before I have the courage to ask for prayer. She has been a gift and blessing to me! She has also spoken to my pride issues. She is a warrior disguised as an everyday woman. I pray you have one of these kind of warriors in your life. She has taught me that this third piece is vital to not just “surviving” but being able to walk through pain, suffering, and disappointment.
Do this First! - Psalms 63:7
It truly doesn’t matter what your voice sounds like! This is the truth - your song to Him will change the atmosphere! Think about the story of Paul and Silas. They sang while imprisoned. It certainly had an impact. (You can read about it in Acts 16:25-34.) I wish I could hear them.