I haven’t been here for a while. Don’t know why. Distracted? Disillusioned? Dramatized? I came home from my third and final work day this week and I found myself totally free to fulfill my heart’s desire but my exhaustion was preventing me from enjoying my free time. So I decided to just lay down and take a bonafide nap instead of nodding in front of the computer or dozing in my reading chair. I dragged myself upstairs and cuddled up on my daughter’s abandoned bed and covered myself with her arm knit big yarn blanket and proceeded to snooze my way to Lalaland. When I woke up I could hear my dogs breathing at the end of the bed. Awe! I woke up so invigorated. So high. Don’t underestimate the power of a much needed nap. Better than drugs. Seriously. Sleeping when it’s not nighttime is decadent. Now I’m ready to stay up all night! I won’t. I have no reason.
Then there’s the tub soak. Another practice I engage in at least once a week. As I gingerly sink my tired and achy body in the depths of skin reddening water with epsom salts and suds galore, I become one with the ambience created via a candle and soothing instrumental music. You’re gonna sweat your worries away so make sure you have an ice cold beverage at arms reach. I just hunker down and feel the warmth and the envelopment of the water. Maybe it subconsciously reminds me of amniotic fluid. Safe and secure in the womb. And I live in my own bubble for an hour or so and pretend that all is right with the world and remind myself that soon it will be – if I can just get through this bit.
Another practice that I have found to be life changing is the one minute pause (developed by John Eldredge). As I was reading a couple of his latest thoughts in the form of books, I read about the one minute pause (a free app to assist you with spending time in God’s presence). Let me tell you, this practice is on par with having a nap or soaking in the tub. Maybe even better. It beckons you to ‘give everyone and everything to God’. Just sit there in his presence with calming music in the background. Don’t think about any of your issues other than to give them to God – you can name people and issues if you want but then let it go and just enjoy His presence. If you seek it, you will find it. Who ever has time to just sit in God’s presence? Many of us don’t even know that’s a thing. But it IS. And it’s wonderful. Empowering. Freeing. You will experience the peace that passes all understanding. With all our worries and concerns and issues and fears, how can we experience this kind of peace? Answer: By spending time in His presence. It’s real because He’s real. I haven’t felt anything realer. I actually do the 17 minute pause because I love this time so much.
And in this crazy, upside down, scary, corrupt, dare I say, evil world, we truly need this. John Eldredge also talks about seeking beauty where you can find it. Enjoying the great outdoors – get your serotonin engaged. Live off your memories – especially the memories of God’s amazing working in your life. Remind yourself of these events as often as you need to. It builds faith. And hope. And if you feel you have none of these memories in your life, then ask Him to show you one or make you one.
You know, my problems are not gone as a result of these practices. Not yet. But after I give them to our Father and the Creator of the Universe I feel so much better able to cope because I know that I don’t have to solve these issues on my own and I do not have to fear. I have peace – that peace that doesn’t make any sense in the face of such trials. But we need to go back every day and spend time in His presence. It’s a worthy practice. If you make the time, God will make it up to you. You will not be playing catchup for the rest of the day. It will be SO worth it. And then, just maybe, you can pass on this peace to others that desperately need it. A smile. A hug. A sacrifice of time. A chat. Laughter. A prayer.
Peace that passes all understanding. Priceless. And for everything else there’s Mastercard. (Couldn’t help myself. LOL)
The Red Plaid Apron 