And how could I forget? We have had flowering trees blooming everywhere for weeks on end. It is like a rainbow of color absolutely exploding. Then all the birdhouses & feeders. We purposely set out a bluebird house that we could watch from our bathroom window, years ago. I have watched the entire mating season. It has been incredible. Cardinals, bluejays, martins, way too many to mention.
Did I mention how much I love nature? Nature and landscaping. Years ago we had begun a formal design outside the back views of the house, and it is just an incredible sight. I have missed so much of it because I was working. This time has truly been a priviledge to have at home.
Last week at church I was so impressed to have God show me if I was wasting my time. In fact, more than that. Was I using it in the manner He would have me to use it? If we lived in some kind of perfect world, we would examine our lives daily to see if we were living it to our fullest potential and greatest fulfillment. As that is not reality, it is still a goal that I think is good to examine periodically for oneself. No one can answer that question for you. And it takes brutal honesty sometimes.
We met a wonderful family man once on a family vacation who openly revealed how much he despised his job. I couldn’t believe it! I barely knew him, but I asked him why he chose to spend 1/3 of his life doing something he so intensely disliked. He then reviewed the amount of time he spent traveling, and it was significantly more time than that. I didn’t know what I had stirred in him. We met at the same location, same week in July, the following year. He looked like a totally different man. He had chosen to pursue his dream ~ and his entire family came running up to thank me. Well, he was the brave one. I just started yapping before I thought about it! : )
I am thankful for the experiences I have had, some that others think I should despise. They have made me stronger, more determined to focus on what is truly important. I know some people will never buy into that. I feel sorry for them. I see the struggle inside them, but I can’t fix it for them. Some will listen when they ask how you handle the situation, and appreciate it. Others are dismissive, and that is okay. God gives us baby steps to learn His path is the easy way. We can choose to follow it, or not. Then, He may throw in a few more challenges, but He will keep trying. It’s His nature. And it’s our choice. And no, that doesn’t mean that every challenge you face in life is discipline from God. That’s another topic. . .
leave of absence
