Her Spirit

I am not a really physically active person, but I don't seem to like sitting still, either. That's just one of the seemingly conflicting aspects of my personality. Anyway, I've had to stay put more than usual lately, and I'm trying to use my downtime wisely.

I've been sick, with a head cold that will not let me be. My husband, Precious, is trying to teach me that "resting" does not do you much good if you are writing on your laptop, reading your Kindle, and responding to text messages. 

I was several steps behind a family on the staircase at Davis-Kidd in Green Hills Mall when I heard one of the three children begin screaming, "I can't see Mommy! I can't see Mommy!"

Immediately the father picked up the smallest girl and lifted her so she could get a glimpse of her mother, who was ahead of the pack with the other two young ones. The screaming stopped, the tears were wiped away, and the family continued toward the door.

It's been said that confession is good for the soul. Part of me thinks this is true. 

At least I know I (usually) feel better after I talk to a friend about a remark I shouldn't have made, or when I whisper to Precious, "There's something I need to tell you." But watching the John Edwards story tonight on television, the one about his former aide who's written a "tell all" book, is making me feel kind of sick.

Following my dreams during the day comes somewhat naturally to me. Using my nighttime dreams as a way to connect with the Divine, not so much. But Laura Huff Hileman and "DreamPrayLive" may be about to change that.

The church I attend, St. Augustine's Episcopal Chapel, is located on the grounds of Vanderbilt University. Some Sundays you can hear the Life Flight helicopter as it comes and goes from the hospital. It happened this morning, just as we were beginning a time of silent prayer.

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If I’m craving Chinese food, I slide into a booth at Chinatown in Green Hills. When it’s time to replace the Subaru, Precious and I head down Broadway to bargain with Jim Reed. And if we’re talking live music, I prefer the Ryman, balcony, on the end. So I know where to find good sesame chicken, reliable automobiles, and Emmy Lou Harris. Mapping out where I will meet God is harder.

I was out and about much earlier than usual this morning, like 5:30 early, and I learned several things about myself.

1. At 48, I'm still not a morning person.

2. I can actually pass the Donut Den in Green Hills without stopping for a fritter. 

3. Going outside your comfort zone every once in a while can be good.

4. Going outside your comfort zone every once in a while can be bad.

5. Sometimes "No" is the only answer.

6. When you least expect it, you can find trees covered in lights to lead you.

Instead of focusing on what I need to change in my life, I'm taking a moment to honor a few aspects that don't need to lose ten pounds or stop staying up too late. There will be time for resolutions. Like, uh, tomorrow. For now, here are ten things I'm grateful for as 2010 gets started:

1. Patient editors (thanks Ashley and Bryan and Robin!).

2. Friends who know when to feel sorry for me and when to say, “Get a grip.”

A friend's child did not get everything he wanted for Christmas. My friend is a single mother with a limited budget, and she did what she could for her son. He is old enough to understand, sort of. But he's also young enough to still want more.

I'm not sure when we grow out of that stage, always wanting, but it sure is nice when we move on to the next phase. That place in life where we are so busy being appreciative of what we have that we forget to long for anything else. Where being "content" has less to do with compromise and more to do with gratitude.