Age transforms not only the body but the inward parts as well. Mind and heart, surviving the beating over the years, has gained in strength yet more fragile than ever. Compassion rules where individuality formerly presided.
Priorities have refocused, rearranged, and settled.
Life's urgings have transcended the material and focused on spiritual.
Life changes.
Until it doesn't.
It is those moments of emotional explosion that disrupt the peace which has come fitfully throughout but valued in its total immersion of soul and spirit. That peace comes with maturity and gifted from God.
But ineptitude and incompetence and plain ole mistakes make an appearance. Then peace is shattered, sleep is disturbed, and the body suffers.
There are lofty dreams in the beginnings of remodel. Images of beauty, efficiency, and family gatherings happily presiding, flood the mind and fuel the idealistic life. Hours of effort, labor and resources are extended...until time drags and the absence of a kitchen sink looms large in the mind and the smell of scrambled eggs and bacon become a distant memory.
Disappointments begin appearing in teams of threes. Colors appear untrue and disillusionment sets in. Attitude starts a downward slide...and attitude affects everything.
Perfection in worldly form is vain...it simply does not exist. How one responds to this disappointment depends entirely on the spirit within and from whom it reflects.
Priorities have refocused, rearranged, and settled.
Life's urgings have transcended the material and focused on spiritual.
Life changes.
Until it doesn't.
It is those moments of emotional explosion that disrupt the peace which has come fitfully throughout but valued in its total immersion of soul and spirit. That peace comes with maturity and gifted from God.
But ineptitude and incompetence and plain ole mistakes make an appearance. Then peace is shattered, sleep is disturbed, and the body suffers.
There are lofty dreams in the beginnings of remodel. Images of beauty, efficiency, and family gatherings happily presiding, flood the mind and fuel the idealistic life. Hours of effort, labor and resources are extended...until time drags and the absence of a kitchen sink looms large in the mind and the smell of scrambled eggs and bacon become a distant memory.
Disappointments begin appearing in teams of threes. Colors appear untrue and disillusionment sets in. Attitude starts a downward slide...and attitude affects everything.
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
(Proverbs 17:22 ESV)
Perfection in worldly form is vain...it simply does not exist. How one responds to this disappointment depends entirely on the spirit within and from whom it reflects.
Father, help me to remember the life I want to be focused on, that the material things of this life may be enjoyable for a little while, but eternal is my goal. Help me to be gracious in the face of disappointments, remembering that we are all vulnerable to mistakes. Please bless each and every person walking in and out of my life at this point in time, and may their hearts be turned to you. For it is not the body that endures but the soul. You alone have remodeled my heart, and upon that I want to invest and share. Thank you, Father, for a new day, another opportunity to praise your holy name, giving thanks for Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
