A friend told of her daughter who had a set-back in a recovery process:
She set aside one day to just feel sorry for herself.
“I know it’s going to be okay,” she said.
But she just needed some time to deal with it emotionally.
It reminded me of something I’ve taught young teens
And have come to practice.
It’s a theory I have that combines solid recovery practices
With the practice of letting God handle our hurts.
For each situation, I’m allowed one whine:
Just one “Why me?”
Or “No, no, no, no… this can’t be.”
Just one truly emotional response – to get it out of my system.
But it’s more than just that.
It’s acknowledging I accept the situation as it exists.
I’m not going to suppress it, gloss it over, or go into denial.
I will accept its reality and deal with it head on.
One whine, one deep breath,
And
“God, I can’t do this alone.”
And I’ve turned the corner, away from despair.
Maybe it’s just me, but for me, I’m not ready to put in practice
The ‘just do it’ motivational speakers’ messages,
The quotes about victorious living,
The truisms about letting God handle everything,
Until I’ve had my one whine.
And then I’m ready.
I lift my head, and turn my face to God
And give it to him.
Posted by:
Jo Bower (Randall)
I play piano, write, publish, and struggle with being as good as possible at things I do. My husband has recently went from being a full-time pastor to a full-time hospice chaplain. (Compassionate Care Hospice of Alexandria) Life changed drastically, and I am still in the I can’t believe I really have time for myself stage. I have read everything I can get my hands on and am taking a break from all that has stressed me. God is good and faithful. +
We attend the First United Church of Alexandria and are slowly getting involved with its opportunities for service. Our Sunday School Class is wonderful..
Life has changed again, and we have come full circle, returning to Oklahoma City, Ok where we began our life together. We have a good place to live, family is close, and we are walking new paths physically and spiritually.
Again, God remains faithful and has led us to a church that accepted us and has extended opportunities for us to serve.
My life-long dream is to minister to people I will never meet. And my final goal in life is to be used up. When all is said and done, and I am no longer ‘in charge’ or able to appear in public, I will have given everything I have to give, and be content to let the world come to me.
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