It's Okay

Ever just get so caught up in life that any real downtime just seems like the eye of the storm?  Well, yeah, that's pretty much where I've been the last year or so.  The phrase, "Hold on tight. It's going to be a bumpy ride.", perfectly sums up my entire life, I think.  Initially I was going to say it described the past year, but it does not take too close of an examination to determine that it pretty much encompasses my entire existence.  There has been plenty more craziness than there has been  so called normal time, and I've always held out for 'normal', whatever that might be.

Now that I am older and wiser grayer I know that there really is no such thing as normal, and even the idea of it really isn't something to strive for.  The ticket to a peaceful existence isn't striving for something, likely unattainable, rather it is total acceptance of your current existence.  That is the real ticket for making the unattainable attainable, if you determine that you'd still like to reach for it.

The exceptional intensity of the past year has taught me a few lessons.  The most important of them being that it's okay.  Really, it is.  Even when things seem unbearable, and the load feels way too heavy, it's okay.  When you messed up for the umpteenth time and yelled at your child, it's okay.  When things have been so hectic that it takes you two weeks to catch up on laundry and dishes, it's okay.  When your eyes have bags under them so big they need a baggage carrier, well, it's okay.

This, too, shall pass.

Seasons come, and seasons go.  So do the troubles and trials of our life.  Something has to fill the gaps, and those are the times we breathe; the times we let our hair down and catch up on our sleep.  The times between the chaos last longer for some of us than others, but if we pay attention and grow wiser, along with growing grayer, we learn to linger in the down times.  The calm waters somehow become more beautiful and more cherished as we gray since we have spent more time in the stormy seas.

The key to my sanity?  Constant prayer.  Period.

Oh, there are other things that hold importance; morning devotions, good friends, a loving extended family, and community involvement.  However, none of these valued aspects of my life even hold a candle to an active prayer life.  There is peace in prayer.  It is our direct connection with our Creator.  Prayer links
us to God and gives us access to the power in His Word.  The more time we spend in prayer the stronger we become.  The stronger we become the more we are able to carry the weight hoisted on our shoulders, and the sweeter the rest when we are gifted a reprieve.

"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. 

See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, 

patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 

You too, be patient and stand firm, 

because the Lord’s coming is near. 

Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, 

or you will be judged. 

The Judge is standing at the door!   

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, 

take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. 

You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. 

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." 

~ Ecclesiastes 7:7-11