Restoration - Part I
Pondering the Lessons of Water
Introduction
The past two years have brought deep weariness for me, and maybe for you, too. I have decided to explore restoration in a few issues of The Adventure of Reflection. This week’s issue focuses on restoration by pondering the lessons of water.
A Minute of Motivation
The Ripple Effect
The tiniest pebble dropped into a lake will produce far-reaching ripples, affecting not only the water next to it, but also the water at a great distance from it.
It’s hard not to notice there are many problems in this world. When faced with so many and so large of challenges it is easy to feel overwhelmed and say, “There’s too much to do. What can one person, me, do about such tremendous difficulties involving so many people?”
You do have an impact.
What you do will affect everyone with whom you come in contact. And, like the ripples in a lake, those you affect will in turn affect others. If the effect you have is negative, that negativity will spread out to many others. If, on the other hand, you spread hope, encouragement, and optimism, the benefits will spread to many others as well.
If you want to change the world, work on changing you. Everything you do to improve you will improve the lives of those around you. And the improvements in their lives will benefit the lives they touch. How far do the ripples spread?
Be a pebble with positive impact.
Change your corner of the world beginning with changing you.
Note. Originally published in 1992.
Enjoy Life More
Thank Your Kidneys
A good friend of mine stopped by my office recently, despite excruciating pain masked by heavy pain medication. He told me, in private, that he had been in the ER recently due to the sudden attack of intense pain caused by a kidney stone. The emergency medical staff compared the level of pain to what women experience during childbirth. He hoped to pass his “offspring” naturally, but, if not, would need surgery.
This made me think about a wonderful blessing I always take for granted: Fully-functional kidneys. My kidneys are doing their thing without complication. All the plumbing attached to my kidneys, and my bladder, are also doing their things without complication.
One of my daughters is a personal trainer. She recommends drinking about a gallon of water every day. The body is two-thirds water and needs substantial intake of water to function properly. I have been trying to drink more water because of her advice. And, yes, this does mean more opportunities to thank my kidneys.
Much joy can be found in giving thanks for blessings we typically overlook. Want to enjoy life more? Ponder your normal urinary functioning. Drink more water. And thank your kidneys.
Faith Corner
“Beside water, He restores my soul.” Psalm 23: 2-3 [personal paraphrase]
I was born in Missouri and have lived in Missouri all my life, a state far away from any ocean edge. A few years ago, my husband and I decided to buy a few acres of undeveloped land within reasonable driving distance of our home. My only condition? It had to have water that makes a “happy sound.” Clarification? The water needed to make waves, ripples, or waterfalls. Land with a lake or a pond wouldn’t suffice; that water is too quiet.
For me, it is the sound of the water that is deeply comforting and restorative. There is almost a musical quality to it, especially if I just listen and absorb it. The music of the water, as it travels, is the beauty of surrender. When I tune my spirit to its music, I, too, can surrender.
And, in my surrender, my soul is restored by the One who made me.
This lesson of the water is a lesson of surrender. In releasing control, your spirit can flow joyfully downward, making beautiful music along the way. Listen to the happy sounds of water and be restored through surrender.
Lord, I confess to fighting too hard for control. As I watch the joyful surrender of water, and listen to the beautiful music it makes, help me hear the call to stop fighting. Help me to trust You more completely and experience the restoration of surrender. Amen.
Poetry Pause
At the Edge
At the edge of land is where I prefer to be;
Where finite meets the seemingly infinite;
Where solid and known encounters flowing and mysterious.
The land I feel beneath my feet,
But within the movement of the water
I sense You.
Rhythmic and patterned –
Yet unpredictable and “random” –
Like the waves of the ocean
Or the meandering of a tiny stream:
Known and unknown.
The movement of the water soothes me
Like the gentle rocking of a mother.
I can be still in the rhythm
Of You.
By Cindy MacGregor, July 15, 2019
Old Mom to Young Mom
Use Your Village
For many homes, the mother is the heart. If there is no mother, the father has to absorb that burden. Like the body, if the heart isn’t healthy, the body isn’t either. To say it differently: “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”
As I reflect on my long-past years of active parenting and observe the busy world of young parents around me, I am struck by the substantial sacrifice of time and energy invested in little humans. Faithful parents will care for the little ones, no matter how depleted their personal resources.
But, here’s the thing: you don’t have to parent without help. All around you are other caring adults who are not as depleted as you. My advice to you is to let them help you. Take a break from active parenting. Use your village. Your children will benefit from knowing they are loved by other people. It’s good for them.
And it’s good for you.
Use your village. Accept offers from others to watch your children. Enjoy your breaks from parenting. And, while you’re on break, might I suggest letting the music of water sing to you? After all, you sing to your children when they need to be comforted; the sounds of water can sing to you.
Dear Dr. Mac
I am going to offer some advice in this section but I am also going to respond to requests for advice when I receive questions from any of you. You can send an email to: drcjmacgregor@outlook.com and I will respond either via email or in this section of a future newsletter, or both.