Image via WikipediaI had an “off’ day yesterday. Couldn’t focus. My to –do list slept untouched all day. I fiddled with unimportant busy work to outright vegging in front of the television.
To make matters worse, I am a “three” on the Enneagram, which means my personality thrives on accomplishments and concentrates on goal achievements. A day of doing nothing looks like failure.
By the time evening came around my internal critic raced at full force.
What is wrong with me?
You are so lazy!
What a waste of precious time
You SHOULD have accomplished something
I finally gave up the day. Take it, Lord, I certainly didn’t use it much today.
Then I heard a quiet Voice within me whisper, “Be gentle with yourself.”
But, Lord, I wasted today. I took Your gift of time and squandered it. I don’t deserve more days or warrant any mercy.
“Be gentle with yourself,” He persisted.
I could whine, feel sorry for myself, and linger longer in disgrace.
Or I could turn my heart to God, listen to Him, breath in His gentleness, and chose to dwell in His grace.
I am so grateful for the God of second chances.
For His almighty love and forgiveness.
For His continuing shower of blessings.
I start anew this morning clinging to hope and letting go my ego-filled selfishness.
A new day.
A fresh beginning.
The gift of unexplored time.
One of my devotions this morning came from Edward Hay’s Book of Wonders. He tells this story:
“At the beginning of the second World War, a large number of bombs dropped by the Germans on France did not explode. French bomb experts defusing them were curious about what caused this malfunction. They discovered small handwritten notes tucked inside the bombs. French prisoners of war doing forced labor in German munitions factories had written on tiny pieces of paper,
“We are doing the best we can from where we are with what we got every chance we get.”
Great motto for daily living and one I am going to follow today.
Love the expression divine whispers, Phil. thanks for sharing that.
Nancy, your comment reminded of the expression, “Let the muddy waters settle.” It refers to discernment but I think also could me a time of rest and healing.
It’s taken me many years to learn that sometimes I just need to let things settle. I’m also learning that I can write while floating in the pool–helps me to be gentle with myself. Love the WWI story.
Jeanie, everyone needs time off. Jesus did that too. Wow, that story is amazing!!! I might need to get that book.
I’ve found Jean, that I learn more from those Divine Whispers than I do almost any other way.
Our Heavenly Father knows our worth, and wants us to see that value through His Eyes, not our own cloudy perceptions. 🙂
Wonderful post!
Have a Blessed Day!
A fresh new start today has led to great productivity yet I keep reminding myself that my accomplishment don’t give me value. I am valued since I am a child of God. hard to remember that at times though
I appreciate this post so much. I’m a one on the enneagram. . . shoulds and perfectionism are too familiar. . . so the reminder to be gentle with myself is good.
And that story about the bombs? Leveled me in an inspiring way.
God knows what is “good” for us. Your past two months are catching up with you. Stop and let them go by..In all my wisdom 🙂 good post and one I am taking to heart. I am still in my “robe” and have not had shower yet etc. etc. It is 9:00 a.m. and until I read this I was beating myself up. thanks Clella
You are so right – we do put so much pressure on ourselves. I actually feel lighter this morning with a new start and hope singing my my heart.
Thanks for sharing.
Sis don’t be so hard on yourself…just go easy and take one step at a time..you know sometimes that is all we need to do is take it easy one step at a time…I know if I had something to do and I don’t get it done I would get just a little mad at myself and then wonder now why am I mad at myself? Who says I have to get it all done at once? No one, I am the one who put the pressure on myself…I guess in a nut shell we put to much pressure on ourselves…hm