Choosing Your Pace

 Thank you for all your kind comments about my blog last week.  

Unfortunately, the 'boy' I wrote about had a bad seizure which resulted in a head injury and a trip to the hospital. But he is recovering and appreciating your prayers. Poor kid, but grateful for lots of loved ones.  

And, if you've seen the news, you may have noticed that the volcano I was watching over my shoulder while we were there has finally blown up! No injuries reported, and so far, no major lava flows. Last week, I asked you to pray for the people in Hawaii who struggle with their ideas of Pele, the goddess of Hawaiian volcanos. There seems to be a strong reluctance to interfere with her, and especially with her lava flows. 

However, I read yesterday that German geologists have discovered that most Hawaiian lava is rich in gold deposits. This may help them lay aside their superstitions! Stay tuned ….

Because I'm still sore (WHEN is she going to stop whining about her ribs?), I had a 'think' about another reason we love to travel.  Yes, the ministry is the catalyst, and I can’t deny that we enjoy it, but I think we like the 'pace' as well.  Like on a cruise where your main questions are something like, "Should I eat or take another nice nap?"

Well, being back home has of course returned our daily “pace” to more normal RPMs. Those nagging "Honey dos" are right outside now. I can probably still take that nap, but what about the leaking roof, the cracked plaster and those ever-loving weeds??

I remembered a lesson 'back in the day' when we were visiting one of the short-term missionaries in our area from another denomination.  They were always so upbeat and encouraging, we enjoyed being around them.

I may have been complaining about the Christmas rush we were feeling.  As missionaries, we felt compelled to take every opportunity at this season to show folks what it's really all about.  This usually came as a surprise to Japanese who often didn’t make the connection between Christmas and the birth of Jesus. They saw Santa and Christmas Cake, but not much else. 

Anyway, we were talking about all the parties that we were having when my friend took a deep breath and said, "Oh, I’m pretty tired, but so glad that I only have two more parties....."

I started to lean in with commiseration until she finished with, "today". 

Living and the pace that goes with it are a choice.  You can tackle those things with an attitude of joy or of despair; it’s up to you.  Not surprisingly, those friends are still on the field, never thinking of themselves, but only of getting the job (joyfully) done.  

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!! 

Marsha

PS:  I was just reading about the man at Bethesda (John 5:6).  Do you remember Jesus’s question to him?  “Do you want to be healed?” (or do you want to keep whining). Fortunately, he made the right answer and chose to live …………. good advice for us all; the nap can wait.