The deja is vu’ing! It’s amazing how I’ve had similar conversations with others that echo in other friend circles, too. It’s no coincidence. Or perhaps A Great Coincidence! Anywho, I had a similar convo that there’s some space between “A and B”. There’s so much that happens in the “and”, in the middle. And baby it really can take you out, can’t it?!
So today, I’m grateful that there’s nothing new under the sun. And that, somehow/ serendipitously, we all find ourselves in some kind of unique middle, where returning to ourselves and our bodies, and by so doing the God who created them, is a- the!- solution.
I started going on a walk when I get home from work. This morning I went on one that I def didn’t want to go on. But I promised myself and 2 Tim 1:7 has been ringing loud and repeating itself over and over and I know I’m in a season of self discipline/control so I went.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].
2 Timothy 1:7 AMP (click here for more translations of this verse)
And so, too, repeating and echoing was a statement made in passing by a friend,
“It’s easier to be disciplined when choice is removed”.
On my walk, I admired all the leaves as beautiful and unique as they are, all so different, but all leaves nonetheless. Exactly like people. Not surprisingly, the 10 minute bare minimum walk turned into a 20 minute walk. Walking and strolling and breathing and noticing all of God’s handiwork.
And then I slept sooo good! And I even decided to rescind the shift I picked up tonight. A major decision since this is the second to last promised day of overtime for the next 5-6 weeks. (God, continue to provide for me like only You can… AND DO!)
And then I did a two way prayer which harkened to life being a puzzle and how leaves don’t tell the tree what they want to look like or how they want to function, they simply are what the tree needs them to be. And how our lives are like a puzzle- God knows the end and what the outcome will be, and the more we seek the Divine, the more clarity we get and the the more the puzzle pieces lock into place. The more weeee get to put the puzzle pieces in place. Wheeew! *Deep sigh.*
And then I cooked the most amazing jerk chicken because I was still angry after last weeks’ disappointing meal at a not so new new spot called the Angry Jerk lol
I wrote, and I rested, and now I’m here. Feeling like I didn’t do enough tonight though I did! And now I’m realizing that there was sooo very much flow and ease in this awesome day! So much good. Never mind the flood of voice memos I received tonight about all the good that exists in the world. In my loved ones’ worlds.
As I always tell my clients, at least once a shift, “I’m audacious in hope!” It preceeds the thing I go into detail about how I know that they can live the life they want to and desire to leave. The sober life. The harm reduction life. The life, no matter what we call it, but one that’s free from self harm and self betrayal. That said, my dear reader, I am courageous and bold and confident to say our good is just beyond our fingertips. And as we stretch and move and work and do and live, our God-gifted and God-given good– crafted uniquely and beautifully and wonderfully for each of us!– will inevitably reach us, too.
May we rest well tonight knowing and trusting that God is knitting every single thing to work together in our favor, even when– most especially when!– we don’t yet see it. By faith, not sight. 🫶🏾✨🙏🏾
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV (click here to read more translations)
Walk. That sneaky word keeps reappearing, too. Walk. Physically, sure. And spiritually, too:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 KJV (click to read more translations)
And here we are, having a full circle moment.
It takes courage to walk. And despite the fear we may feel, may we not be consumed by it or become it, but may we feel it AND be comforted while we move forward and WALK. It is already so. Amen! 🙏🏾
