Speed Bumps

I know, I know. I haven't blogged in a good minute. When I write, I need the space to say whatever I like. Now, I definitely don't shell out posts like Jameil. So, unless I have time to really focus and execute my thoughts through words, I'm not going to type just anything down. Because that would be a disservice to you, my loyal readers.

It's funny, because the last few times I've really had good topics to blog about, they've all had a common theme - adversity. As I've sat down to write, I'm struggled with getting the words out, because I wondered why I was always writing about the same thing. On paper, or on the site in this case, it would seems as though I was going in circles, not making any progress. So, I would delete my posts and wait.


Why?

Is it because I would get too frustrated with the reality of the situation as I was writing about it? Probably. Or was it because I didn't want to continue to beat the dead horse with a bunch of negativity. Maybe I could wait until something good happens.

Simply put: I was not facing reality.

It's easy to question God's play-calling for us when things aren't working. Sort of like when you're team's not winning, everyone points at the coach. But, it is in these times, when our true character shows up. We have to believe and have faith that there is something better for us around the corner, and not give up in the meantime.

One of the things I enjoy about this blog is that it's therapeutic. It gives me a forum to express my thoughts via word and hope that in the process it can help someone and someone can inspire me.

But what I can't do, whether through words or my own actions, is not be real with myself. I have to accept the speed bumps just as I accept when things are going good.

Hump Day

Relax

The last couple of weeks, I admittedly have been stressed. Stressed about the job and upcoming assignments. Stressed about my finances and how I was going to make ends meets. And jsut stressed about everyday life. I wasn't at a point of giving up or getting depressed, I was just worried -- something I always do and am trying to correct it as I go along in life. Ironically, each week I was going "through" I would go to church and it seemed as though the pastor was just talking to me. Has that every happened to you? I was as if it was just me and him in the church. He was stepping all over my toes. But I got the message. Just relax.

Here's a short story that was sent to me...

Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast.
He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were
reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the
awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.
As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received
A steady stream of refusals.

Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached
the farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him.
"Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man.

Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help,
Hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from
dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.
Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore.
Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed
next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the
little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming!
Tie things down before they blow away!"
The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No
sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on
the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm.
To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had
been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens
were in the coops, and the doors were barred.
The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down.

Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his
hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while
the wind blew.

The moral of the story...

When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically,
you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the
wind blows through your life?
The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he
had secured the farm against the storm.
We secure ourselves against the storms of life by
grounding ourselves in the Word of God.
We don't need to understand, we just need to hold
His hand to have peace in the middle of storms.


When you get to a point when you can sleep while the wind blows, you'll be alright


Relate

Developing and maintaining relationships are a very important part of our lives. Many times we get into the "I can do this by myself mode" and forget to live, laugh and share our experiences with others. Family will always be there, but the reality is, we sometimes move away from home and find ourselves starting over. We have to learn to build relationships. Many, like me, are fortunate enough to find that significant other who you can relate to on a more personal and intimate level. But also, I have a strong circle of friends I know I can count on when needed.

Release

Let stuff go.

Sometimes we just hold on to stuff that doesn't even matter anymore. It keeps us frustated, it's not healthy and the thing about it is, it's usually small stuff, which makes it worse. So breathe, go out and have a drink. Smile, hug someone. And if you're bunned up, put on the Jodeci, break out the silk sheets and ...

Jill Scott perhaps said it better than me...

Your hands on my hips
Pull me right back to you
I catch that thrust
Give it right back to you
You're in so deep
I'm breathin' for you
You grab my braids
Arch my back high for you
Your diesel engine
I'm squirting mad oil on
Down on the floor
Til my speakers start to boil
I flip shit
Quick slip
Hip dip
And I'm twisted
In your hands and your lips
And your tongue tricks
And you're so thick
And you're so big
And you're so Crown Royal on ice
Crown Royal on ice
Crown Royal on ice
Crown Royal on ice