When was the last time you were really frustrated, anxious, or just plain disgusted with the way things were going for you in life and living? If you’re like pretty much everyone else, that time wasn’t more than a few hours or days ago. It seems that life’s frustrations bubble up out of the ground regularly…some are a little bigger than others, but they all tend to cause changes in priorities, adjustments in how we see things, and at times force us to stop everything and just concentrate on what’s happening at the time.
These blips in life can be as mild as
catching a cold at an inconvenient time, or as big as a loved one suddenly
passing away or some kind of natural disaster that destroys our possessions and
home. We often never know when these
things will come at us, and almost as often aren’t sure how to deal with the
situation that is presented to us.
Sometimes we tend to worry about what
MIGHT happen in the future to the point that it becomes some kind of
obsession. When that happens, we become
paralyzed with fear and anxiety. We are
afraid to move ahead in life fearing we’ll run into one or more
roadblocks. We spend our days in bed,
many times literally, because we cannot face the day ahead.
So, how do we deal with the anxiety
and fear? Many of us have developed
coping mechanisms which tend to ground us in reality…help us discern what is
really important in life. These things
keep us “rooted,” so to speak, in the realities of the day and time. For we who wear the name Christian, the
ultimate “grounding” is looking to our God and Lord…the unchanging sovereign
who has never promised to help us avoid life’s bumps and bruises, but has
promised that He will be with us going through them. “Even though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I fear nothing, because you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me..” So says that famous Psalm of the Old
Testament…Psalm 23. The poem ends with
this: “Surely goodness and mercy will
follow me all the days of my life. And I
will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
God in his mercy has given us many and
varied ways to help us keep a steady keel in life. I recently read something that got me to
thinking about what some of those things were for me. What keeps me going? How does God work in my life to help me
navigate the uncertainties?
My author friend Kendra Broekhuis
publishes a monthly blog that appears in my email. This month, she was musing on what keeps her
grounded in life during times of frustration and anxiety…times when things just
aren’t going as she would have liked.
Here’s how she said it in the blog:
What’s rooting me in place—holding me steady? What’s feeding my soul—helping me maintain a
healthy perspective on my life and work? What helps me get out of my own head in a way
I can thrive through seasons of stretching, growing, and even pruning?”
Kendra then mentioned several things
that help keep her grounded and “rooted,” as she says—keeping her on a steady
life course. She mentions sixteen things
that help “ground” her. I’ll read just a
few of them:
Reading my chronological, large print
Bible.
Noticing the many stray cats in our
alley.
Snuggling my kids.
Hearing my kids laugh.
Praying honest prayers.
Taking a walk with a friend through a
snowy park.
Sitting at my parent’s table for a
late night conversation.
Brunch with my husband.
A King, born in a stable.
Well, you get the idea. And this, as I said earlier, got me to
thinking about myself…what keeps me grounded…what keeps me “rooted,” so to
speak…what helps smooth out the bumps and bruises in life.
Here are a few of my own thoughts on
that.
Sitting on our back patio any time…summer/winter,
day/night…a place that faces the park woods and offers serenity.
Giving one of the grands a ride on the
riding mower.
Feeding our feathered friends and
watching them enjoy the seeds I put out for them.
Listening to familiar music, whether
from The Messiah, Carrie Underwood, Acappella, or Peter, Paul, and Mary.
Watching videos on YouTube of generous
people giving to those in need.
Appreciating the things Pat does around
the house to keep things orderly.
Caring for our back yard fish pond
residents.
Working alongside THE BEST church
staff ever.
Knowing I have an absolutely reliable
and confidential partner (Pat) in my work as an Elder and Minister.
Going for a drive in rural areas
surrounding the Metro, “looking at the crops,” as Dad would say.
Receiving hugs from the grands, even
if I saw them only the day before.
These things along with others help me
to stay on course. And these things and
the people who are part of some of these things are all God-given…gifts from a
benevolent and merciful Creator.
So, what keeps you grounded? What keeps
you rooted? What do you rely on
to reset your compass…to give you a healthy perspective on life and living?
May God continue to shower His
blessings on you this day as you face life’s uncertainties.
