Date: 9/24/2012
Author: JC Gardner
Title: Signs
How often in our life do we ignore the warning signs that come to us in the still of the night or that calm voice that whispers to our spirit about a situation or a circumstance? Our own will and what we desire is so strong that it tends to overpower our internal compass, which has our best interest at heart and is designed to steer us in the right direction.
It takes a lot of discipline and wisdom to sit back, observe, and smell the roses. We’d rather just get in the garden and start digging and planting and before you know it, we’re stuck in the sticky weeds because we could not wait for that spiritual guidance and direction.
Going down our own pathway is not always a bad thing. God’s grace surrounds and protects us, in spite of ourselves. But imagine how much better life could be if we really took the time to reflect on our circumstances vs. going immediately into “fix-it” mode, putting our own seasoning in the pot whether it helped enhance the flavor or made it worse.
More days than not, I find myself reacting to a problem or situation and later on, when I finally settle down, I know there was a better way to handle it; however, I didn’t allow myself any quiet space to deal with it. In most cases, the solutions are acceptable; truthfully, most of the time our lifestyle does not allow for this, so we are just constantly in “get it done” mode by any means necessary.
Two years ago, I participated on an interview committee for a position in a department that is on my radar to work for some day. While interviewing the candidates, I had such a strong feeling that I needed to excuse myself from the committee and apply for the job myself. The feeling was so overwhelming, that I even mentioned it to the panel and was told, “yes,” they would love for me to apply. Well I didn’t.
The reason was because I had placed my loyalties toward my supervisor a priority at the time. He and I had such an awesome working relationship and my concern was for him “surviving” without having my valued support. A noble deed, yes, but at what price?
Now barely two years later, work life for him became complicated and he moved on to a different external position, but I’m still here. My whole division has changed and it has been a very difficult transition for me.
I often think back to that time and reflect on why I chose to ignore that still, small voice that I believe knew what was ahead. Once again, my eyes were on a different prize, making someone else happy and not my own well- being.
As women, most of us are naturally nurturing. We try to fix things and will go out on a limb to make everyone else happy; and with what’s leftover, that’s what we use to take care of ourselves. If that is the case, don’t make it harder than it has to be by making hasty decisions. If you don’t take care of yourself, then you can’t effectively help others. Find that quiet space, that closet or that room where it is just you and the Lord. Be still. And listen.
Proverbs 3:5-6: says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.
Author: JC Gardner
Title: Signs
How often in our life do we ignore the warning signs that come to us in the still of the night or that calm voice that whispers to our spirit about a situation or a circumstance? Our own will and what we desire is so strong that it tends to overpower our internal compass, which has our best interest at heart and is designed to steer us in the right direction.
It takes a lot of discipline and wisdom to sit back, observe, and smell the roses. We’d rather just get in the garden and start digging and planting and before you know it, we’re stuck in the sticky weeds because we could not wait for that spiritual guidance and direction.
Going down our own pathway is not always a bad thing. God’s grace surrounds and protects us, in spite of ourselves. But imagine how much better life could be if we really took the time to reflect on our circumstances vs. going immediately into “fix-it” mode, putting our own seasoning in the pot whether it helped enhance the flavor or made it worse.
More days than not, I find myself reacting to a problem or situation and later on, when I finally settle down, I know there was a better way to handle it; however, I didn’t allow myself any quiet space to deal with it. In most cases, the solutions are acceptable; truthfully, most of the time our lifestyle does not allow for this, so we are just constantly in “get it done” mode by any means necessary.
Two years ago, I participated on an interview committee for a position in a department that is on my radar to work for some day. While interviewing the candidates, I had such a strong feeling that I needed to excuse myself from the committee and apply for the job myself. The feeling was so overwhelming, that I even mentioned it to the panel and was told, “yes,” they would love for me to apply. Well I didn’t.
The reason was because I had placed my loyalties toward my supervisor a priority at the time. He and I had such an awesome working relationship and my concern was for him “surviving” without having my valued support. A noble deed, yes, but at what price?
Now barely two years later, work life for him became complicated and he moved on to a different external position, but I’m still here. My whole division has changed and it has been a very difficult transition for me.
I often think back to that time and reflect on why I chose to ignore that still, small voice that I believe knew what was ahead. Once again, my eyes were on a different prize, making someone else happy and not my own well- being.
As women, most of us are naturally nurturing. We try to fix things and will go out on a limb to make everyone else happy; and with what’s leftover, that’s what we use to take care of ourselves. If that is the case, don’t make it harder than it has to be by making hasty decisions. If you don’t take care of yourself, then you can’t effectively help others. Find that quiet space, that closet or that room where it is just you and the Lord. Be still. And listen.
Proverbs 3:5-6: says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.
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