Relentless
Sharing Storms by Being Present
Introduction
The demands of life are so relentless. Each day brings the usual challenges and some days bring stronger storms of difficulty. In this issue of the R-series of The Adventure of Reflection, I ponder the word Relentless and how we can share life’s storms with the power of our presence. Thank you for joining me.
A Minute of Motivation
Invest Time Wisely
Killing time: why would anyone want to do that? Do any of us have so much time that we can afford to waste it, or worse yet, to “kill” it?
Far better to invest your time wisely. I believe in being a good steward of the time that is given me. Each day is a wonderful and irreplaceable gift. When a day is passed it is completely and irretrievably gone, never to return again. Today is yours to utilize, but only for today. You cannot use today next week; you can only use it for today. If you don’t use today while it’s yours, the opportunity to do so will be gone tomorrow.
Use each moment of your life wisely, and invest your time in ways that are important to you – learning, enjoying, sharing, caring, or whatever means the most to you. But don’t waste or “kill” time, because your supply of time is limited – make the most of it!
Note. Originally published in 1992. Re-published here because of the power of investing the time of your presence during the relentless storms of life that are brought to those you love.
Enjoy Life More
Be There
Over the years I have invested substantial time and money in traveling to be with the people I love. When our daughter was stationed in South Korea, my husband and I went to see her. We used the money we had saved for much-needed bathroom remodeling and booked flights, including a 14.5-hour flight from Dallas to Incheon.
In the weeks leading up to our trip the emotional situation for our daughter became quite difficult. Without sharing the confidential nature of the storm in which she found herself, it became obvious that our trip was well-timed. The sorrow held in her apartment was almost palpable when we arrived.
But it helped that we were there. We didn’t talk about what had happened, we just spent time together. The picture in this post is from our first dinner together. My husband, sitting next to his little girl, pulled her close.
After we returned home, I started saving for our ugly bathroom project, which we completed a few years later. Every time I saw the ugliness of that bathroom, I thought of our trip to see our daughter. It was money well-spent. We needed to be there.
To enjoy life more, be where there are people who need your presence. I have spent a lot of money and a lot of time on travel to be with the ones I love. I would gladly sit on an old couch or use an outdated bathroom if it means I had the resources to do what mattered most -- being there.
Faith Corner
“They sat with him.” (See Job 2:13)
Almost everyone has heard about Job. In a brief season of his life, he lost all of his ox, donkeys, sheep, and camels. He also lost all of his sons and daughters and all of his servants except the ones who survived to bring him the bad news about his livestock and family. His wife survived but her helpfulness was questionable. And, if all that wasn’t bad enough, Job was covered from head to toe with painful sores.
Job didn’t lose his friends. Three of them came to provide comfort. Their many words are captured in multiple chapters of the book of Job. Honestly, there isn’t much value in most of what they said, challenging Job’s faith and his God.
They got one thing right. Following this relentless season of loss, Job’s friends came and sat with him. They sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights without saying a word. They brought comfort to him through their presence. They sensed his sorrow was so great that the best they could do was just to be with him in the dirt.
There’s an important example here for each of us. When we love someone who is enduring a relentless season of loss or difficulty, the best we can do is show up. Some people keep their distance because they don’t know what to say. But that isn’t what helps the most. Being there, that is what matters.
I’ve been to many funerals where the bereaved says the same thing to me, “Thanks for being here” or “Thanks for coming.” Our presence during times of sorrow speaks the loudest.
If you love someone who is hurting, go sit with them. If they want to talk, just listen and hear them. They don’t need advice. What they need most is your presence. If you are the one who is hurting, invite someone to sit with you. Being together in sorrow eases the pain.
Dear Lord, the storms of this life can be so relentless. Help me to remember the power of just being present. When I am hurting, remind me to reach out for the companionship of a friend. When someone I love is hurting, give me the courage and compassion to just be there for them. Thank You for the healing power of presence. Amen.
Note. If you want to do your own investigation of any of the scriptures I use, I suggest you go to Bible Gateway. This free online version of the Bible allows a search of words or phrases in various translations.
Poetry Pause
Being There
It’s not good to be alone
In a storm.
You may not remember
My words.
But you will remember
My presence.
I may not remember
Your words.
But I will remember
Your presence.
Being there
Is what really matters.
By Cindy MacGregor, October 6, 2023
Note. Our presence in the storms of life is our greatest asset to share.
Old Mom to Young Mom
Teaching Presence
We live in such a hurry-scurry world with our minds bombarded continually from all around. With packed schedules to keep and meals eaten on the run, our frenzied lives are full but also empty. Families may, technically, be together, but are family members present with each other?
A few years ago, an ice storm crippled our region, bringing a loss of electricity to 90% of homes. Some homes were without electricity for many days. Our home was within a fortunate area near a power plant; we had restored electricity in a couple of days. This made our home a refuge for a friend of our son, whose home was cold and dark for much longer.
Our son and his friend, both in middle school, enjoyed being together during this strange time. What struck me, though, were two comments made by our young guest. During dinner time, as we gathered at the table, he remarked that his family “doesn’t do this.” I asked him to explain, and he said they don’t eat dinner at the same time or together at the table. Ever.
He also joined my son and I as we worked on a jigsaw puzzle around the coffee table. He said, “I’ve never done this before.” With an abundant library of video games, this young man had never worked together on a jigsaw puzzle. It still stirs my heart with sadness when I remember this.
Eating together at a table is a simple way of being present for each other as a family. Even if the food is take-out, the time together to reflect on the day is precious. Putting together a jigsaw puzzle is as close to doing nothing as you can probably get. Except that, in putting the puzzle together, together, members are present in each other’s lives.
In our rushing about, trying to keep up with the self-imposed demands of hectic schedules, we might be losing each other. As an old mom to young parents, I encourage you to teach your children the value of being present, truly present. Sitting side by side on your smartphones or watching television together doesn’t count. Put the technology away and just be with each other. And, if you need something that is almost nothing to do together, work on a jigsaw puzzle.
I don’t remember what we ate for dinner with our young guest or what puzzle we assembled. I do remember, in the bottom of my heart, what it felt like to have him present in our home. I suspect he remembers it, too.
Dear Dr. Mac
Dear Readers:
I am nearing the end of the “R-Series” and the last of my repository of Minute Motivators to publish or re-publish. Change is coming to Cindy’s Newsletter! I am upgrading the format, starting October 29, 2023. But, don’t worry, I will continue to send my inspirational thoughts to you each week. I am excited about what I have planned and can’t wait for you to experience it!
You can find all my previous posts at ARCHIVE. You can find the first 64 issues in an organized compilation at Reflective Adventures: Volume One.
You can share your thoughts with me by leaving a comment (see box below) or you can email me at: Dear Dr. Mac. I love to hear from you!
