I’ve pretty much disconnected from everything lately in an attempt to save my sanity and health.
Last Thursday, I tried to get back into the swing of things again… slowly at first.
Thursday was good. I got a few things done. reconnected with a couple of people and had a fairly productive day, all things considered.
Friday didn’t go so well.
Saturday the stress returned in full measure.
I think I must have pushed it too hard, although I didn’t feel like I was pushing it at all!
My wife works tonight and tomorrow night and then she’s off for eleven days. I’m hoping that in those eleven days I’ll be able to get some time alone and reconnect with God – and then the world.
You see, I realised that all of my working life, I have been at my best and most stable when I get plenty of time alone. Ever since 1996 I’ve had jobs where I’ve been able to spend much of the day alone, working in peace and quiet either in my car driving or hidden away in a computer room somewhere.
My life now doesn’t offer me that. Caring full time for three young children doesn’t give peace, quietness or alone time.
I think that’s what I’m really missing and needing!
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. It’s mind blowing to get emails from people I hardly know telling me that I’ve been on their heart or God has been telling them to pray for me.
I really appreciate you all and hope that soon I’ll be able to give something back to this wonderful community. I don’t deserve the love and grace being extended to me!
Oh… and don’t forget the blog carnival tomorrow. The topic is: LUST! (Bridget is hosting it again)
Peter, take your time, and know we're doing some praying for you.
You've been on my mind, friend. Keeping you in my prayers. You can't just flip a switch – rest and let God do His thing in you. Peace.
Just a few lines from John O'Donohue's blessing, "For One Who Is Exhausted":
". . . There is nothing else to do now but rest/ . . . .
". . . Draw alongside the silence of stone/ Until its calmness can claim you. / Be excessively gentle with yourself.//
". . . Gradually, you will return to yourself, / Having learned a new respect for your heart / And the joy that dwells far within slow time."
Keeping you in prayers.
Hello Peter — In giving, we receive.
Allowing others the grace of giving to you, we receive the gift of being of service to a fellow human being.
It is a circle you have created Peter.
Know that in your giving yourself the time to recharge, and in giving us the gift of your insight and openness, we are all in the flow of God's grace.
And know, you are worthy. We all are.
Hugs
Been praying for you down here tho I haven't had a chance to offer words of encouragement. Hang in there. We've all been there (and some of us are there now!). If/when you do find a quiet moment, read 1 Kings 19:11-12, that always helps me in times such as these. Elijah was feeling a lot like you have. Find God in the whisper, don't seek him in the earthquake.
still praying for you…don’t feel any pressure or feel rushed into anything. God’s timing is perfect and sometimes you need to listen to you body, mind and spirit to know what His timing is.
You mentioned about getting emails from people you hardly know, and we don’t know each other either, but that’s the beauty of the body of Christ. We’re all in this wonderful, crazy and sometimes difficult journey together and right now you need us to lift up your arms…some day when you’re doing good we might need you. God had a wonderful plan when He created Biblical community and He orchestated it well. We just need to work within His score of music.
still praying for you…don't feel any pressure or feel rushed into anything. God's timing is perfect and sometimes you need to listen to you body, mind and spirit to know what His timing is.
You mentioned about getting emails from people you hardly know, and we don't know each other either, but that's the beauty of the body of Christ. We're all in this wonderful, crazy and sometimes difficult journey together and right now you need us to lift up your arms…some day when you're doing good we might need you. God had a wonderful plan when He created Biblical community and He orchestated it well. We just need to work within His score of music.
In honor of you needing a break, please view the following video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bKwRW0l-Qk
Hope it helps you get away. If even just for a moment or two.
Hi Peter. Just wanted to pop in and let you know I'm still praying for you. I'm excited for your upcoming time off and how you'll spend it with God. Big hugs!
I know what you mean about alone time. I’m exactly the same way. I recharge in those times so I can face everything else. Glad that you’re getting some insight into what’s going on. I’m sure that feels good even if it’s just a little piece. I’ll keep praying for you! Blessings…
Thanks Peter for being so open and honest and vulnerable with us. May your loving father bless you and draw you closer to him as you live in the reality of his moment-by-moment presence. May he uphold you and comfort you with his love. May he give you joy in the smallest of details in your daily life. He rejoices over you with singing. We appreciate you too.
It's in the being still, isn't it … blessings of peace
Peter –
It's OK not to be OK.
Insanity really is hereditary ya know – we get it from our kids.
Whatever it takes to reconnect with God, we need to make it a priority—sometimes in big ways, sometimes just moment to moment.
Lord, please crave out for Peter those moments for the two of you together that are so hard for us to make for ourselves. Please don't let him miss them. (And feel free to throw in a few for me, too.) Thank You, Lord! I love you.