Being Persistent Takes Persistence

Here’s another day of coming out from under my “mighty woman of God” rock and I'm going to boast about some of my weaknesses. I’m following St. Paul’s lead with his powerful words of advice. He said: “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Sometimes I don’t want to answer my phone, so I let the call go to my voice mail. And, sometimes, I don’t feel like doing the unselfish thing. I want to just sit in my cozy chair and take a power nap, or watch TV. I don’t want to do one more thing today. I don’t want to respond to someone asking for advice. But just because I don’t feel like it, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do it.

This might really shock you. Sometimes I don’t feel like praying or reading my Bible or going to my Bible Study group. But I do it. I’ve found that if the only time I pray or read my Bible is when I feel like it, Satan makes sure I never feel like it. I’ve been in this “mature” relationship with God long enough that I know I must live my life by my commitments, not by my feelings.

The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people are willing to do what unsuccessful people don’t feel like doing. They develop habits. They stay committed. They don’t get to the Olympics because they feel like it. They get to the Olympics by hours and hours of training that they didn’t feel like doing. In the same way, we don’t become godly men or women by simply doing what we feel like doing. Godly men and women choose to develop the habits that produce godliness in their lives. It’s not any easier than working out or rehearsing or anything else that may be good for us but we don’t feel like doing.

Probably the greatest example in the Bible of persistence is Moses. For 40 years, he led whining, complaining, immature people around the desert while they questioned his leadership the entire time. Yet he never gave up. Hebrews 11:27 says, “It was faith that made Moses leave Egypt without being afraid of the king’s anger. As though he saw the invisible God, he refused to turn back..” Moses saw the invisible God. He kept his eyes on God. So, rather than retreating – we carry on and we keep our eyes on God, too! We continue our persistence to win the battle by being God’s devoted, persistent followers and by doing the uncomfortable. Hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant,” will make it worth it all.

Burying Your Head So You're Not Disturbed?

For a mere $99.99 on Amazon, this power nap Ostrich Pillow can be yours. This photo crossed my path so many times that I finally had to check it out. It looks to me like it's a clear signal that someone doesn't want to be disturbed. But the inventor says "Sometimes all you need is a power nap during a stressful day or to counter jet lag, or for just a chance to relax. Just burrow your head and arms into its cozy ‘cocoon’ and you’ll be in dreamland before you know it." He says “Power napping increases productivity by 34%.” I can relate. Sitting at my desk most of the day can sure bring on dreamland to me and a 10-minute power nap can sure power me on for the rest of my day!

You've got to hand it to those who find a need and do something about it. The Ostrich Pillow makes sense but I find it hard to believe that women with their well-coiffed hairdos would stick their heads in there for any amount of time -- not to mention that it sure looks like it would be hot in there.

The Ostrich Pillow is indeed unique and of course it was named after the ostrich because that's what ostriches do -- they bury their heads in the sand. And isn't that what some people do, too? They don't want to deal with situations that represent conflict or they hide from helping their neighbor or they rationalize "ignorance is bliss". A lot of folks "bury their head" in the sand when they don't want to take the time to learn a new way of doing something, even though they'd save lots of time, energy and money in doing so. I’ve carried on conversations with some folks (young and old) who are frustrated with technology so they leave it alone because they are unwilling to change and learn something that could save an immeasurable amount of time for them. Many people would rather ignore a problem than trying to solve it. They'd rather hide within their walls than recognizing the needs of others who are going through disappointment and heartbreak and they could sure use a loving and caring "brother or sister" -- someone who just might be the load lifter for them.

Wouldn't this world be a better and kinder place if, instead of burying our heads in the sand, to stand tall and raise our hearts and our hands and say "Pick me! I'll step up and make a difference" or “I have an ‘open door’ policy. You are always welcome in my office, my home, and my heart! We'll work this out together!”

How Long is it Until Naptime?

Preservation -- to keep alive or in existence; make lasting; to keep safe from harm or injury; protect

All of us have an innate desire to do everything we can to make this life last as long as we can. While we know this life doesn’t hold a candle to what awaits us on the other side in heaven, we, instinctively, want to hang around on this side a little longer, so we try to eat healthy, stay active and think positively.

Along with the weeks of traveling back and forth to Tulsa, with little sleep because of the many hours spent on getting Mom moved and her estate sale completed, I've been needing naps when I drive there and even after I’ve made it back home to catch up on the sleep I lost. In fact, on the way home recently, I had to stop at a Walmart parking lot in Atoka, OK to shut my eyes just a few minutes. When I finally made it home, I didn't even unpack my car. I headed to my bed and took a 3-hour nap.

Fortunately, this season of my life affords me the opportunity to take a little nap every now and then. I remember looking forward to Sunday afternoons when my husband and I would have a sweet nap. That was our only naptime because of our busy work schedules, family and home responsibilities. I’m quite sure God was pleased with our Sunday routine, because, after all, Genesis 2:2-4 says “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.” He set the example for us.

With busy, full active days of meeting my young children's needs, oh how well I remember so wanting to take a nap when they did. I loved looking forward to their naptime so I could doze a little myself. I'd tickle their eyes and faces until they'd drop off to sleep....and so would I. As Moms of young children, no doubt, you, too, may long for a little down time to just have a few minutes of R&R. I think naptime might have been what the Psalmist David meant in Psalm 23 “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He restores my soul.” How often do busy Moms and Dads put everything and everyone else ahead of their own preservation?

Here's what I know. It's okay to have a little time when we can just BE. After all, we were created by God to be human BEINGS, not human DOINGS. I know that many of my younger friends dream of days like this. I was you in my busy working days, wife and little children days -- and now I am here, in these days. You'll be here one day and I urge you to savor these times, because tomorrow can be amped up, full-on, all-out exhaustive days. In between all the hustle and bustle, for our own good and our preservation – we MUST find time to refuel and get ready for firing up for the next call-of-duty.

There are many things to be concerned about in our lives, our family's lives, our city, country and world. How can we REST when there's so much to do for God? After all, we are His hands and feet extended. After all, if we don't go, who will? After all, if we don't take care about this and that, who will take care of it for us? Then, loud and clear comes Isaiah 30:15: “For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel says: in returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength….”

Little pull over to the REST AREAS of our lives can PRESERVE our lives for the long run. I've been at this journey of faith long enough to be convinced that in quietness and confidence in God’s faithfulness, we will be renewed and strengthened daily. Maybe it’s time for a little POWER nap – and tap into our POWER SOURCE Who brings us peace and rest – even if it’s only for 10 minutes at a time.

Burying Your Head?

Day 223 of Photo Inspirations -- Burying Your Head?
This photo crossed my path so many times that I finally had to check it out. It looks to me like it's a clear signal that someone doesn't want to be disturbed.  But the inventor says "Sometimes all you need is a power nap -- after a stressful day, to counter jet lag, or for a chance to relax. The Ostrich Pillow is a dream come true. Burrow your head and arms into its cozy “cocoon” and you’ll be in dreamland before you know it." Recognizing that people spend so much time at work or in transit, the pillow was created to help disconnect and dream. They say power napping increases productivity by 34%.  

You've got to hand it to those who find a need and do something about it.  Perhaps the inventor was one of those travelers that needed to grab some shut-eye when he could, and he found a solution.  It certainly makes sense but I find it hard to believe that women with their well coiffed hairdos would stick their heads in there for any amount of time -- not to mention that it sure looks like it would be hot in there.

It's obvious that the inventor called it "The Ostrich Pillow" after the ostrich because that's what ostriches do -- they bury their heads in the sand.  And isn't that what some people do, too.  They don't want to deal with situations that represent conflict or they hide from helping their neighbor or they rationalize "ignorance is bliss" -- it's just best to not know or not to get involved.  A lot of folks "bury their head" in the sand when they don't want to take the time to learn a new way of doing something, even though they'd save lots of time, energy and money in doing so.  I was talking to a gentleman in my community whose son just bought him a new cell phone.  He was so frustrated because it had some new bells and whistles on it and he'd have to take the time to learn how to use it.  I was quite willing to show him because I have the same phone, but he refused and said he was taking the phone back to the dealer and going to ask for his old phone back.

This man rejected the information.  Like him, some people would rather ignore a problem than trying to solve it.  They'd rather hide within their walls than recognizing the needs of a neighbor who they just might be the load lifter for them.  They'd rather complain and remain in the same situation that keeps them waaay behind in time and productivity.

Wouldn't this world be a better and kinder place if, instead of burying our heads in the sand, to stand tall -- raise our hearts and our hands  and say "Pick me!   I'll step up and make a difference."   By the way, if you want to bury your head in the Ostrich Pillow -- it's just $99 -- you'll find it online!