Tracy and I had the privilege of being "kid-free" last night. My parents took the girls around 4:00pm with a promise that they would return some time this morning. Tracy wasn't going to be home for another hour, so I asked myself, "What am I going to do?" It's not long enough to watch a good movie or get started on a cleaning project (not my cleaning projects anyway). I could get myself gussied up and make Tracy take me out tonight, OR I could just sit down in front of my computer and play mindless computer games and drift off into a place I like to call downtime. You can guess that when the front door lock started to shift, I jumped out of my tech-stupor and began to shut down my game, with guilt. Why, you ask? (only if you don't know me well) I don't DO downtime well. I am always on the go with the task at hand or an agenda to complete. I am always busy and if I'm not I get ansy trying to figure out why everything seems to have a place for the moment. Rarely do I sit still and give my thoughts credence.
God takes a back seat in my busy day and my prayers by day's end are - Lord, please help me find peace in the craziness of my day. I am fully aware that God chuckles at me a lot.
So this morning was different. I got up and went to the gym. I usually don't get the luxury to go on Saturdays (yes, I like working out). The morning drive was beautiful - with the sun shining and new snow glistening on the Foothills. I have a workout buddy most days, but this morning I was alone for about 30 minutes to run by myself (running alone - not recommended). I grabbed my memory verses that I have committed to learning and headed to the treadmill. This morning, my thoughts calmed once more and I was able to have some downtime. This time it was with my true love and it was good. These verses were given just to me for such a time as this. I had some great downtime this morning.
What do you do for downtime? I'm still going to play computer games every now and again but I will treasure the moments I take with my Savior from whom I draw my strength to make it through the craziness of life.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Giving the Gift of Life
My Father-in-law is home from donating his kidney to a long time friend & fellow pastor. I am so blessed to be a part of an amazing family with so many members who give at any cost. He's home recovering and doing very well. Here is a story that was done on their experience:
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_011708_health_kidney_donor.2f2c59d0.html
AN EMAILED NOTE THAT I WANTED TO INCLUDE AFTER MY INITIAL POST:
The Oregonian published an article on my kidney transplant that did a far better job of capturing my perspective than what the TV news feature did. NBC and CNN both missed both the facts and the slant to tell a story that they thought sounded touching. The only problem is that its main point was not true. If you want to read the article you can find the article at: http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/stories/index.ssf?/base/metro_south_news/1200630311117940.xml&coll=7
I wish people understand that donating a kidney leaves the donor with nearly no personal negative consequence and at least for me it was not nearly as painful as I had imagined. It is a win/win situation where you can do something outrageously extravagant for someone without it costing as much as most in our society have been led to believe. I am so glad I did it.
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_011708_health_kidney_donor.2f2c59d0.html
AN EMAILED NOTE THAT I WANTED TO INCLUDE AFTER MY INITIAL POST:
The Oregonian published an article on my kidney transplant that did a far better job of capturing my perspective than what the TV news feature did. NBC and CNN both missed both the facts and the slant to tell a story that they thought sounded touching. The only problem is that its main point was not true. If you want to read the article you can find the article at: http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/stories/index.ssf?/base/metro_south_news/1200630311117940.xml&coll=7
I wish people understand that donating a kidney leaves the donor with nearly no personal negative consequence and at least for me it was not nearly as painful as I had imagined. It is a win/win situation where you can do something outrageously extravagant for someone without it costing as much as most in our society have been led to believe. I am so glad I did it.
I am doing so well that I am even at the office for a couple hours right now.
Dwight
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Silence
Nothing. No sound, hum, or whisper. It can be haunting. Silence can create a feeling of peace or the feeling of being so utterly alone. When silence is welcomed & embraced, it can cause a person to calm down, be renewed, cleansing the mind & surroundings from all distraction.
When silence is unexpected, it can create panic, fear, a sense that hope may be lost.
Silence in a relationship can feel pretty hopeless. You ask a question and get no response. You expect a question but it never comes. A lull in the conversation, thoughts with no words, feelings without expression. Silence - it is a word that God has made very familiar to me lately. It has resulted in much loneliness and self-inflicted isolation. It's not that I am holed in my home refusing to go anywhere. Quite the opposite. I know that God's timing is not my own. I know that there have been other dry times in my spiritual journey - I just haven't figured out what He is saying through His silence. I will continue to stand at my post - listening, watching, waiting. He is never far, He hears our prayers and He knows our hearts. I have not lost hope.
Be still and know that I am God; Those who wait on Him will renew their strength; Wait for the Lord, Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
When silence is unexpected, it can create panic, fear, a sense that hope may be lost.
Silence in a relationship can feel pretty hopeless. You ask a question and get no response. You expect a question but it never comes. A lull in the conversation, thoughts with no words, feelings without expression. Silence - it is a word that God has made very familiar to me lately. It has resulted in much loneliness and self-inflicted isolation. It's not that I am holed in my home refusing to go anywhere. Quite the opposite. I know that God's timing is not my own. I know that there have been other dry times in my spiritual journey - I just haven't figured out what He is saying through His silence. I will continue to stand at my post - listening, watching, waiting. He is never far, He hears our prayers and He knows our hearts. I have not lost hope.
Be still and know that I am God; Those who wait on Him will renew their strength; Wait for the Lord, Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
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