FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2022 - FRIDAY THOUGHTS - LOVE WINS

 FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2022 - FRIDAY THOUGHTS - LOVE WINS

They say that we are in a rat race, running all the time. Everything keeps moving and time goes on so fast. At age 74 you would think that life is slowing down for me, but it just seems even faster!!! (I value my 15-minute afternoon nap as almost “sacred” time!!!. But the pressure to keep moving, keep playing granny basketball, keep playing tuba, and keep working at my part-time job can get overwhelming. The sad fact, however, is that though we are in a rat race, we could end up being rats!  Instead of being LOVERS, we start to bite and fight like a rate cornered in an alley!!

But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

There is an expression: “You Can’t Soar Like An Eagle When You Surround Yourself With Turkeys”  

The key factor in Isaiah 40:31 is those who “W A I T” upon the Lord.  

*****

I know I can get impatient “waiting”.  I want to go NOW!!

This next week I’m flying to Phoenix to spend a week with my sister, brother-in-law, three cousins, and their spouses.  It is going to be an awesome time.  But, I know I will be at the Austin airport early to make it through the TSA lines.  Then I will wait for my flight, (and I have one stop on the way to Phoenix - my flight goes to San Diego first then back to Phoenix - did I really schedule my trip that way???) and then wait for my flight from San Diego to Phoenix.  

*****

“WAIT”.  In terms of spirituality, I’m probably like all humans - waiting for God’s guidance and blessing isn’t much fun.  I believe He/She/It/The Force hears me - and definitely loves me.

A friend last week suggested I do a silent retreat - go away and seek God for a couple of days.  Take off my watch, no using my phone or my computer.  (Personal note - that sounds like a fate worse than death!!).

I have people to visit and share my love with.  I have blogs to write.  I need to walk four miles (or more) today.  I need to practice my orchestra music.  I can’t just stop and WAIT!!

You know (tongue-in-cheek) that if I don’t DO all the things I need to do, the world WILL STOP!!  (Okay, the world will go on without me.  There are those who get a diagnosis of cancer and learn that the world will go on.  

And, another verse, “Love your neighbor like yourself”.  Well, it seems as if I am loving my neighbor a lot more than loving myself!!!  If I loved myself properly I would take better care of myself - including taking some time to stop and wait and smell the roses!!! 

Maybe I haven’t been soaring with the eagles enough.  I know I think (and write) “Love is spelled T I M E”.  And, yes, spending time with my friends (like my shut-in friends and others) is important to them.  But, maybe spending an afternoon with myself - meditating, resting, and praying is time well spent!!!  

So like so many of my messages on Friday - this is really intended for me.  

“OKAY KAREN, TAKE SOME TIME TODAY TO WAIT FOR THE LORD”!!!!

But, I’m guessing some of you also need to take a day off now and then to let the batteries recharge.  

*****

Next week, as I mentioned, I will be in Arizona with my family.  I’m not sure if I will do much writing.  (But, I love to write, and I “HAVE TO” write my daily blog - no skipping any days!!!)

But, just maybe, I’ll skip a day or two and enjoy my family.  Maybe I’ll not have my phone in my pocket all day long.  Maybe I won’t be on the computer (or on much less).

And, maybe this will be true:

“But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”

*****

LOVE WINS!!!

Karen
Friday, April 22, 2022