More Reflections...

The past 6 days have been a time of reflection for me, personally.

On lessons learned...

On love received

and love given...

On happy memories...

On a few regrets...

On my Dad -

my family -

myself.

Being reflective allows us to take a good look at ourselves and our lives. Are we where we want to be at this point in life? Am I where I want to be? Where I thought I would be?

If not -- when did I get off track and how do I get back on?

Actually, I know the answer.

I got off track when I stopped making time to commune with GOD every day. We used to have such a sweet time togther - in His Word, in prayer, in worship... We were truly -- connected -- for a time. I could hear His voice, leading me in the way I should go. The Holy Spirit would prompt and I would move. I had impressions - visions, some might say - and I could smell the Lord's presence quite frequently...

I miss that. A lot.

I let *SELF* get in the way and put my own wants ahead of my needs. I need to spend time every day with Jesus - but the first thing I do each morning (after using the bathroom, getting dressed and taking the dog out) is get on my laptop. I need to make time to just SIT quietly and meditate on GOD - but instead, I turn on the radio or TV and fill my head with noise.

With Dad's passing, I have been reminded that time moves too swiftly to waste it. Procrastination feels like a soft, warm quilt on a cold, wintery day - it's so cozy to remain in my little cocoon and forcing myself out of it into the frigid air of life is the last thing I want to do. Procrastination may seem soft and comforting, but in reality it is a great tool of the enemy's and one that I've allowed to steal away my time, my energy, my creativity and my relationship with Christ.

It's time for me to throw off that blanket and step into the cold. It's time to stop looking at the "frigid air" as something to avoid and instead, embrace it as something invigorating and empowering. It's time to breathe deep and allow it to energize me into living my life the way I was called to live it, rather than remain huddled in a cozy cocoon of stagnation.

I realize this post sounds rather melancholy, but I needed a little time to reflect.

Sunset reflected in the window of my blazer

This was one vendor's way of commenting on the amount of rain that occured at the State Fair yesterday...

Farris Wheel in a Mud Puddle