Feel your inner lotus…or something.
Well if you know me, you know I don’t meditate. I hate Silence. Sitting in Silence is even worse! My best prayer times are with music, or writing out my prayers in a journal. However, Ed enjoys meditation and yoga. He appreciates silence on his runs and walks.
We’ve been discussing meditation lately, I have always had reservations about it’s usage in Eastern and New Age religions. I’ve seen meditation lead to communing with not-so-good spirits, and god-complexes in individuals. However, I’m open minded to the idea applied to Christian practices. There is a verse in the Bible I don’t pay enough attention to, it says,
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. ~ Phillippians 4:8-9
Things that are lovely and good…
Doesn’t that sound nice? To spend time thinking about things like that, and allowing God to bring us peace? Well, I have never made much time or spent much energy exploring this idea, and whenever Ed brought up meditation or yoga (which I have tried and failed at many times), I always pushed it off with a, “yeah, we can talk about that”. Meaning, let’s talk about it later, and not do anything about it.
All of that changed today. I was leaving the house to meet up with a friend whom I value very much. I had not slept well due to Crohn’s issues, and felt tense all morning as I poured over emails and caught up on Facebook. As I got into the car I thought, this tea-date is really important to me. I really want God to use it. So I started thinking about that as I drove. How could God use this time to His purpose and goodness? How has He used other conversations with friends to His Glory? I reflected on the impact good friends have had in my life over the years, and then one particular thought stood out. God has blessed me with the companionship of extraordinary people my entire life.
Ed is getting ready to leave for 7 weeks of training…that may turn into 5 months.
Oh Chi-Town…
Several people said to me, “well, why don’t you come back to Chicago for awhile? See your family and friends here?” I see their point, however, Chicago no longer feels like home. Isn’t that crazy? It always will be to some extent – it’s my home-town and made me who I am. But right now, Orlando has my heart. That surprised me as I thought about it! It’s only been 4 months since I left, but there are dedicated, kind, loving people who have embraced Ed and I as their own. As people found out he was leaving, they’ve reached out with all kinds of offers and invitations to keep me healthy, safe, and cared about while my husband is away.
So as I pulled up to Starbucks and waved to my friend through the window, I thanked God for how carefully He has orchestrated the relationships in my life. I was reminded that He DOES have a purpose for things that we can’t even imagine…until we have that one conversation and it all makes sense. That 10 minutes of meditation in the car put me in a completely different mindset to meet with this dear woman, and share life, and let God do what only He can do. And sure enough – He did. It was the most revealing, tender, and encouraging conversation we’ve had yet in our new friendship, and I now see the purpose of letting our minds dwell.
Team RZ 4 Life 