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Monday, January 25, 2016

That's All She Wrote



And she wrote a lot.

It's astounding to me that I have blogged 26 straight days.  It's a record.  It's sure not what I set out to do.  It's probably killing my "regular reader" numbers, because people don't generally read the same blog every... single... day.  That's not why I'm doing it.

It's Ministry Monday, friends, and today that comes with a reminder to feed your soul.  Consistently.  It's something that I haven't always been very good at.  In fact, it's something that I have mostly not been very good at.  #Confession 

Interestingly, at the beginning of many new years, I have set out to take much better care of my physical body without thinking much about the rest of me.  This doesn't work all that well when we recognize that people must live holistically.  I actually like to use "wholistically," even though it isn't really a word.  The point is, we are connected - physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, spiritually connected.  Taking care of one part of ourselves often provides benefits for the rest of us.  Neglecting one part of ourselves?  Well, it's the same principle.  Sometimes it's all we can do to care for one piece of the puzzle, but it's better when the whole picture comes together.

I'm spending an exorbitant amount of time focusing on my physical body lately, but it is nothing like other eras of life.  I am focusing on things like, "If I bend over to put my shoes on, will I still be able to walk out the door?" This has really thrown a wrench in how I originally planned to start this year.  Early mornings and late nights at the gym?  Are you kidding?  If I get there once a week... in the afternoon... it's like winning a championship game!  I am trying not to feel pathetic.

Interestingly, this has forced me to slow down (which I hate), and has also allowed me to consider what things really make or break a day (which I love).  I have spent more time consuming Scripture than I have in years, and this new rhythm is good for my soul... at least right now.  The funny thing about rhythms is that they change over time, and that's OK.  I did not expect to be living a ballad at this point, but whatever.  It won't last forever.

Much of what I have written over the past few weeks has been a reflection of the liturgical readings I have been using.  Unfortunately, my journal is blank, today.  It's not that there wasn't anything important upon which to reflect.  It's just that nothing struck me as particularly profound.  And my planner is void of activity.  That just never happens.

And yet, there is something to be said even on a day like today.  Here it is.  I think empty days might be the days on which it is most important to remember that rhythm and consistency matter.  I think this is the kind of day that would usually end the blog streak for me.  And the biggest problem with that is that once a streak is broken, who knows how long it might take to restart.  Loss of momentum can be devastating. 

And so, let me issue a challenge to you, today, especially to those of you who are "in the trenches", ministering to others on a regular basis.  Take a few moments to stop, today, and make a list (I like paper, but you can do this in your head, too) of ways in which you can begin to take care of each part of who you are on a regular basis.  Make a list of things you can do, every day, even when there are no profound revelations or fancy words.  Consider what little steps you might make toward being the healthiest you can be.  And then start doing these things!  Even on the days when progress looks invisible.
 
L.

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