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Impromptu sabbatical

Tue, Jun 15, 2010

Distinct Impressions

So, three weeks ago I took a Monday off after working a church leadership retreat over the weekend.  I needed the day to catch up on personal business that I ordinarily would have done on the previous Saturday.  One of the things on my list that day was to write a new blog post — continuing my thoughts on the cost of reconciliation and the decision-making process that is involved.

Then I was in an automobile accident.  Concussion and seat belt bruises.  About six hours in the trauma center.  No memory whatsoever of the accident.

At least I had the presence of mind to turn on the windshield wipers . . .

I took a few days to recuperate.  Yet, I found that when my body seemed ready to move forward, my thought processes couldn’t quite keep up.  I called it “cobwebs.”  A friend termed it “clueless.”  She also opined that I had always been clueless — but now I had an excuse for it.

I’ve never had this experience before.  Frankly, it was frustrating to achieve some fairly simple tasks.  I couldn’t quite connect the dots.  Fortunately, I was surrounded by understanding family, friends, and co-workers who covered for me and, frequently, suggest that I take a little more time off.

One of the great blessings of all of this was truly grasping the concept that I’m not really in control.  It was so clear that God was the one in that role.  He would roll out each day for me, care for me, and allow me to recover.  And the fact that his timeline for my recovery was a little longer than the one I had crafted became less of an irritant.

In this impromptu sabbatical, I found time to count blessings, enjoy people, and do “more important things.”  Even now, when my anxiety over how long my to-do list is heightens, I can step back and say, “God has given me enough of everything.”

Still on my list is a return to my themed writing.  But I just have to say, at least for today, that God didn’t make this the day for that to happen.

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One Response to “Impromptu sabbatical”

  1. Brad Palmore says:

    Glad you’re okay, even if you’re still cobwebby. Let me know how I can help next week if you need some coverage.

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Tweets from Joey & Foster Dog

Just Thoughts
  • Occasionally, I find the need to start over.

    More accurately, I have to start over almost every day.

    Things I wanted to change yesterday slipped a bit. And I feel like I’m back at yesterday again. Starting over. And feeling a little frustrated with that.

    As I walk through life, I’m learning that God gives us new days so we can start over.

    • We can be better.
    • We can walk more closely to Him.
    • We can overcome the impossible.

    God knows it’s a journey. It’s my job to step out on the path and join Him. What better partner for starting over?

  • Today I will make choices that are the best choices for me. Not selfish choices. Choices that tap into the wisdom of friends, family and my Creator. Choices that result in the best I can give others. Not choices made in an effort to change others or make choices for them.

  • The best laid schemes of mice & men . . . oft go awry.  Robert Burns

  • Today, I resolve to pause before I say anything negative.

     

     

    The result (for me, at least) has been amazing. Just a small space between a thought and a spoken word has changed my outlook — sometimes for hours. I’m not perfect at the technique. But I’m practicing. Join me? (You might want to pause before responding.)

     

  • “I don’t care” is one of the most frequently used statements of deceit — right next to “I don’t know.” Both are tools used to disengage from others.

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