Monday, April 25, 2011

Speed Bumps

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”‘ – Rom 8:28

The past few months have proven to be very very hard on my heart.  I am drained.  Emotionally, physically, and mentally drained.  This path I have chosen to take in life, although it is very rewarding, it is not an easy one and the sacrifices I have had to make and the speed bumps that I have hit along the way have been rather large these days.  In fact, they are huge, and this path...it is a very difficult one.  I love taking care of children.  I love the people I work with.  I love my life.  But...I work way more than I will even begin to explain, and right now I have way more on my plate than I feel anyone should.  My body is tired.  And my heart...it hurts.

"Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys." Madeleine L'Engle
 
My day this month begins very early and ends very late.  I have one hour to eat, exercise, and spend time with my husband.  Like I said, I am drained! However, its not the working that bothers me, not even a little bit, I can deal with the physical exhaustion and I don't mind working hard, I actually like to work my tail off, it is where my ADD fits in the best, or should I say the chipmunk on speed in me.  But I am so tired.   Chronic fatigue?  Yes, most definitely.  I am used to it though, the physical exhaustion that is.  The emotional exhaustion though....not so much.  The past few months have taken a toll on my emotional well-being and stretched my heart out to the max.  Thank God for an understanding husband, to say the least!  Sure don't know what I would do without him these days. 

No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

I find it to be no coincidence, with all that is going on in my life right now, that this past weekend was Easter.  Thank you God, for a day to remember what is truly important in life.  God does nothing by mistake.  Everything we face in life has some meaning, some hidden purpose.  I could question God all day long about things that happen in my life.  But I don't.  These things, or these speed bumps I should say, have molded me into the person I am today.  I am a better person because of the things that I have had to and are currently enduring.  These "bumps" help me, somehow someway, to see the whole picture that God is trying to paint.  I have become a more sympathetic and caring person because of it and I am able to help others in ways that I never thought I would be able to.  They have also helped me to realize that I have the best support system, ie family and friends, in the whole universe, I am so blessed and so lucky to be surrounded by such caring people.

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you learn to appreciate them when they're right.  And sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together." - Marilyn Monroe

One of my favorite sayings in the whole wide world is, "If God brings you to it, He'll get you through it."  It's soooo true.  I don't know what I would do without my faith.  I 'd be one lost puppy that's for sure!  There are no mistakes in life, everything is a blessing in disguise, it is just up to you to find it!

What we might think of as speed bumps in our life’s road are usually only God’s way of slowing us down enough to get our attention. Conover Swofford.

I challenge you to take the good out of the bad, to see the true messages behind the speed bumps in your life, count your blessings and cherish loved ones.  And always always always remember, be kind to those you encounter, for somewhere out there, there is always someone else fighting a harder battle.     

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. ~Leo Buscaglia

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