~* Ash *~
This morning has been ROUGH! I almost forgot my lunch in the refrigerator at home. Then I broke out in hives while walking from the bus to work because of an allergic reaction to my socks (...really?!). Finally, safe at my desk, I just hit my funny bone and spilled hot tea on my shirt.
Normally, this would be my breaking point. I have a short temper and am a recovering potty mouth. I would stomp off to the bathroom to wring out my shirt, swearing at it and myself the entire time. I would angrily pour out the remainder of my tea, flop back in my chair, and spend the rest of the day daring any other thing to upset me -- websites taking too long to load, cold fries at lunch, a late bus this afternoon, Maggie not going to potty when I take her out.
Yep, I am the queen of making a bad day worse.
Although that first has been powerful on its own, my eyes drifted up a few lines this morning to verses 19-21: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Whoa, now I can focus on being kind and gentle all I want, but does that really matter if the occasional "fit of rage" slips in?
Sooo this morning, I thanked God that I was able to get my lunch and still catch the bus, that there is a CVS near work where I could buy Benadryl to help with my itching, and finally that I wore a camisole under my shirt and keep a sweater in the closet to change into until my shirt dries. Life really isn't as much about what happens to us as how we respond to it.
Last week, Lu and I literally saw a cloud with a silver lining. Despite the large, gloomy mass of the cloud, our eyes were immediately drawn to that thin, glowing strip of light peeking out from underneath. Can you imagine what life would be like if it were that easy to look at our own silver lining?
It sounds cheesy, I know. And of course, everyone has a right to their own feelings. However, I've wasted more hours than I want to count being angry, rude, or feeling just plain wronged. Nothing good has ever come out of those moments. When I even think of how many hours I've basically lost to anger or stress when I could have just acknowleged those feelings and moved on, it's literally sickening.... To end with another cliche, I've decided to make an active effort to let go, and let God.
Normally, this would be my breaking point. I have a short temper and am a recovering potty mouth. I would stomp off to the bathroom to wring out my shirt, swearing at it and myself the entire time. I would angrily pour out the remainder of my tea, flop back in my chair, and spend the rest of the day daring any other thing to upset me -- websites taking too long to load, cold fries at lunch, a late bus this afternoon, Maggie not going to potty when I take her out.
Yep, I am the queen of making a bad day worse.
However, for the last few weeks, I have been meditating on Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
Whoa, now I can focus on being kind and gentle all I want, but does that really matter if the occasional "fit of rage" slips in?
Sooo this morning, I thanked God that I was able to get my lunch and still catch the bus, that there is a CVS near work where I could buy Benadryl to help with my itching, and finally that I wore a camisole under my shirt and keep a sweater in the closet to change into until my shirt dries. Life really isn't as much about what happens to us as how we respond to it.
Last week, Lu and I literally saw a cloud with a silver lining. Despite the large, gloomy mass of the cloud, our eyes were immediately drawn to that thin, glowing strip of light peeking out from underneath. Can you imagine what life would be like if it were that easy to look at our own silver lining?
It sounds cheesy, I know. And of course, everyone has a right to their own feelings. However, I've wasted more hours than I want to count being angry, rude, or feeling just plain wronged. Nothing good has ever come out of those moments. When I even think of how many hours I've basically lost to anger or stress when I could have just acknowleged those feelings and moved on, it's literally sickening.... To end with another cliche, I've decided to make an active effort to let go, and let God.
