Let's Get 'Er Done...and fast!

My fave slippers to help me slow on our walks

It's morning! Eyes pop open. Jump out of bed. Get ready quick! 


Move! Move! Move! Next...


Downstairs. Breakfast. Dishes. Work. Quick break.


Move! Move! Move! Next...


Can anyone relate? Out of breath yet?


I'm a recovering "let's get 'er done and fast" girl. I was always focusing a few steps ahead. 


It's been 7 years now and I'm still going through the process of slow-flow. Every year gets more calm and peaceful. I love it! Less of a marathon and more like a jog. I can actually have a conversation and fully breathe.


Everything I did in chores, activities, and even down time all had a clock and stopwatch. My dreams had a "rush" stamped on them too. I had to stuff as much as I could into not just one day, but each hour. Crazy!


You know what I've found and am still becoming aware of? Rushing through life makes me an unhappy grouch. It makes me unpleasant to be around. I set a terribly uneasy tone in my own home. No one can relax.


I've been down with a bad cold the last two weeks. A forced slow-flow. The past two days I've felt better. Wouldn't you know it? I wanted to dive right back into everything. 


This morning, I stopped myself. Walked back over to the bed and prayed. "Lord, I need to linger in the slow. Show me how." 


Here's how it all went after that:


Wake up slowly
Get out of bed slowly
Move slowly and softly
Reach for _________ gently
Open the closet gently
Get dressed slowly, calmly
Walk slow, gentle steps
Brush slowly and gently
Look in the mirror and smile softly
Smooth the bedspread slowly, gently


Lingering in the slow and gentle softened me. I felt so relaxed. I became mindful of the morning light and sounds. I intently set the pace for our home. My day was completely productive without the rush and push.


This is what opens me up to the joys and wonders God breaths into my everyday -- Lingering with Him in the slow-flow. 


Soul Refreshment


Psalm 23:3 ~ True to your word, you let me catch my breath (refresh me) 
     and send me in the right direction. 


Isaiah 52:12 ~ But you don't have to be in a hurry. 
   You're not running from anybody!

Your turn

Are you a "let's get 'er done and fast" person?

or

In progress like me?

or

Have you learned to slow-flow?

I'd love to read about it.

If you've quietly slipped in, you're invited to ponder the "rush and slow-flow" and find where you're at.

Dabee and Yaya Adventures Begin

I remember David and I lying in bed one night thinking of what we'd like our grandchild to call us.

David's a funny guy so he went along the lines of a few nicknames he gives himself. Dabeed, Dabeedoo, and more. He cut that short and it became Dabee. I had Reid look up Hispanic terms for grandmother. Somewhere in there we found that Yaya was slang for grandma. It totally matched the playfulness in me.


I told everyone I could the story. When he's old enough to talk people will ask him, "Where are you going today?" and he'll answer, "I'm going to Dabee and Yaya's house." Sounds fun right?! When he's in college it won't sound so bad either. I can just hear his "man" voice saying it.


The grandparent adventure was a surprise. We hadn't planned ahead for that one, but we talked about getting our health in order and lives in order so we'd be healthy for our grandkids. Thank goodness, I'm well enough to really enjoy our grandson and have fun. This one truly helps me linger in each moment of the adventure.

We planned for the adventure of empty nesting. We heard so many stories of people not looking forward to it and becoming depressed. So, we planned for it. When each of the boys turned 17, we got ourselves ready for them becoming independent. Not to say it was easy watching our first son fly, but it did help to have plans for what we would do when they went off on their own. Like traveling, saving, and living different dreams. Parenting adult children is a blessing and challenge. So worth the bonding.


In this season of our lives, I find the adventure is in the planning. It may not be so for everyone or for every season. But, here we are in this season where it is true for us. Not every plan was able to work. But making those plans together was absolute fun! We discover more of ourselves, each other and how it's all changing now. This journey is hard sometimes, gets weary too, but what an adventure!


My apologies if this is all over the place - the whole clan is sick this week. But, I had to even take up this adventure and write anyway.


Soul Refreshment: 


Proverbs 19:21
We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails.

Thank you for reading my ramblings. 

Thank you also to those of you who quietly visited. 

You all bless my life.

Today's One Word is Adventure.

Check out more Faith Jammers voicing it here.

Fooled by Annoyance

I don't how, but I let myself go there. I usually pick my battles. All of a sudden, I found myself not only easily annoyed, but letting everyone around me know it. More than that, I let 'em have it too! I'm not proud it at all. My evil twin sure did feel good at the time though.


Day 1: I yell extremely loud at David in front of our younger son. I wasn't even sorry.


Day 2: I lost it at David in front of our older son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. This time, I was a little sorry. How so? I apologized with a "but" attached to it. The half apology. I'm so embarrassed at myself right now.


Day 3-6: Anyone and everyone who annoyed me got the rolling eyes, ahem, and a view of the back of my head.


Day 7: This is where it all began to change. I finally fell apart and asked aloud, "What's wrong with me?" and "Why am I acting like this?". 


I realized I was still recovering from exhaustion, coming down with a bad sinus/maybe cold, and giving away time I didn't have. That is no excuse. I should've rested, said no to begin with and had my down-time.


Day 8: I finally sat still, said no to a few gatherings and lingered in the quiet. I let God collect me off the floor, walls and ceiling. What a horrible mess. I felt so ugly. Being with Him brought rest. I could feel Him begin to redeem and restore. 


Day 9: I got this verse on my flip calendar for Soul Refreshment: Proverbs 12:16 ~ Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.


Aha! An answer. I had given in to self. That's what happens when I forget my best is with Jesus and jump on the self-reliance cycle. Self loves to be irrational, stressed out, irritated, and yes, easily annoyed. 


Day 10: Doing better, still annoyed here or there, but seeing the better in the ones I love. The joy and wonder is a little more easily found than Day 1. I missed being here so much. In the grace, gratitude, joy, and love.

Rats! Fooled by annoyance.

Have you ever been fooled by annoyance? 

How did you get back to gratitude, grace, and joy?

If you've quietly slipped in thank you for visiting. I pray you find more of Jesus here today and take Him with you.