When life seems to be spinning on a slow wheel

Somewhere between the end of the financial year and Christmas, are a few months that seem endless. In my region, the annual agricultural shows and public holidays are over. Apart from a few local festivals and spring events, at this time each year, life can feel like ‘spinning a slow wheel.’

Everyone becomes a little tired as the year presses on, or they are coming out of winter and into spring. You would think living in the tropics, the migration of winter to spring would not affect us, but it appears so. Come early November, everyone gains a spark again, and we have end-of-year celebrations and often holidays in our planning.

Living life during the challenging times when everything is an endless roll of getting ‘stuff’ done, can seem monotonous.

Now is a wonderful time to recall that:

• God loves You! John 3:17-17

• If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you are a child of God. 1 John 3:1

• Forgiven. Acts 13:38-39

• You are precious to God.  Isaiah 43:4

• God knows you by your name. Isaiah 43:1

• You are chosen.  1 Peter 2:9

• A masterpiece – God doesn’t make second-best. Ephesians 2:10

During the tedious times when life is spinning on a slow wheel, why not choose to:

• Try something new – a hobby, change of routine, sport.

• Begin a study on a book in the Bible.  You may like to look at Jude, Obadiah, Philemon, 2 John, and 3 John.

• Be intentional about catching up with friends or people with whom you are acquainted and get to know them better.

Each day we can make the decision to show gratitude and express gratefulness, even in the ‘slow wheel’ times.

Embracing Change?

Over the past few months, significant changes have occurred in our family life. Changes in employment, our youngest graduating from High School, and myself, taking up a new Not-For-Profit executive position.

Change can bring the feeling of being uncomfortable and challenging, and certainly cause you to either embrace it or hide away.

Undergoing change in your life is not comfortable. Often friendships formed in the workplace, and other organizations change, even end. Relationships change. Finances change. Family life changes.

Recently, I have been reflecting on how to embrace the changes positively. Is this easy? No. But to live life to be effective means being willing to change, even when your mind is screaming NO!

To begin this process, I have begun:

• Getting up earlier in the morning and having breakfast (or a cuppa) with my husband.
• General House tidy-up (making the bed, cleaning bench tops, washing, dishes, general household duties).
• Set time aside for reflecting on God’s Word.
• Deal with urgent emails, accounts, and the import “To Be Done” items on my list.
• Set time aside later in the day to read, rest, pray, and visit.

It is so easy to fall into procrastination or become overwhelmed.

Iveth Luna (song “In You” sings, I can do all things...even when the darkness comes, even when the mountains tower...in You (the Lord).

That is how I get through each day - with the Lord. If the past few months have taught me anything, it is I cannot get through the changes without the Lord

As organized as one tries to be, unless the Lord directs our path, the journey will be rough. The path may have stones that irritate you because they get in your shoe, or there may be a block on the path, your health may be under attack, or your family life has changed. Whatever the situation, the constant presence, and love of the Lord is comforting and reassuring

What changes can you make today to start each day more positively?