Believe it or not, I’m generally one of those “go along”, “don’t rock the boat” people. I hate anger and confrontation, especially if I’m the one who is angry and confrontational. I try not to interfere in anyone else’s life. I don’t offer advice unless it is solicited. I don’t try to change things unless I have a personal stake in the outcome. Perhaps that is why writing suits me so well. I can give advice and be confrontational and try to change things without being in someone’s face and without being too emotional about it. I don’t have to name names. J
However, yesterday I decided to take a stand and say “enough is enough” about something that I felt was becoming a serious threat to my sanity and the well-being of my students. I asked a few key people to pray for me and I felt uplifted and confident as I prepared for the day. I said what I needed to say and did what I needed to do. I was pleased and surprised by the outcome. No one got angry. There wasn’t a confrontation. It was almost as though everyone had been waiting for me to take the next step. A life lesson for me.
I was reminded of another lesson yesterday- life is short. My brother, my youngest brother, had a heart attack yesterday and was rushed by helicopter to OKC. More prayers. He had an angioplasty and is doing well. We will drive up to see him later this morning. But the reality is that he must make some lifestyle changes or this will happen again. There is a good chance that we will lose him, just as we have lost others in our family whose hearts have failed them. Or maybe I should say they failed their hearts- failed to take care of them, failed to pay attention to the warnings they were given. I’m just as guilty as anyone, as my obesity will attest. John’s doctor has already told him that he must lose weight and stop smoking. I must take this seriously as well, and make some changes.
I went to a meeting with some friends last night and we discussed our plans for the holidays. There is decorating to be done around town. There are celebrations to be coordinated. There are projects to be completed. There is work, work, work involved. We talked about some of the things we have done in the past, and some of the things we would love to do in the future. We talked about the reality of having too many plans and too few workers. I’ve learned a lot of life lessons in the sixteen years I’ve sat around tables with these folks. We’ve belonged to several organizations together. We’ve worked and played and planned and worked some more. We’ve been overflowing with enthusiasm and down in the ditch of discouragement, but somehow we’ve managed to “carry on” and accomplish a thing or two.
Friends and family.
Prayer and perseverance.
Those are the lessons for today.
Life is short. Enjoy what you have.
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