How I lost My Charm This Time
Our brush collision with pneumonia stopped us both in our tracks. (Our New Normal) Following so close on the packing up, the move, and then unpacking, it has exhausted Doug and drained me of my charm. Me with a charm deficit is not a good thing.
Paul Newman understood the weariness that can overtake us, even in recovery, when he said, If you have a pulse, you have a purpose. Our pulse ain’t faint, so our purpose is learning to get moving again; doing what we can, when can, for the purpose regaining, as God enables, what we lost – to be givers again of the love and kindness lavished on us.
Gratitude Replenishes a Deficit of Charm
It’s tempting, though, just to sit down, waiting for strength to return. And yes, rest is integral to mending, especially when the lungs have been sick. But, so is moving, even if with baby steps. We have been told to find that balance between good exercise and exhaustion.
Doug has figured out how to graduate from a walker, and a cane so he can get up and go, but not as fast or far as he would like. Still, getting the pace correct is a challenge: not too fast, not too wide, not too narrow – but just right.
Adjusting my pace is tricky too — recovery is hard work for both of us. I’ve had to shelve many projects . . . stuff that I so wanted done. Doug has too.
But I am still tired. And my lungs are fine!
Enjoying the Peace of My Pace
When I confessed to a friend I was pooped – having to put on hold writing, painting, and gardening — she sent a well-turned phrase: Enjoy the peace of the pace you are at right now.
And then this arrived; what a tonic – better than a double shot of Geritol! Safer, too.
. . . God has a plan for our life that promises fulfillment of a destiny that will bring good to ourselves and others. Our task is to become quiet, listen for guidance, and step forward with love and trust in our heart.
God’s plan for me will be revealed, bit by bit. I will be open to today’s portion. (In God’s Care)
Good advice for someone who confuses movement with productivity. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength . . . and rest.
“If you don’t take a Sabbath, something is wrong. You’re doing too much, you’re being too much in charge. You’ve got to quit, one day a week, and just watch what God is doing when you’re not doing anything.” – Eugene H. Peterson
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