The Eye of the Storm!

I had a baaaad week last week.   No, I mean it.   So much so, that I couldn’t sleep on top of all that I was feeling and going through.  “You look so tired.  Are you ok?”  was  a common question last week.  The problem was, I was tired and worn out and frazzled.  How do I get to my own personal daily “High 5” and talk to others about being in this zone when all this other “stuff” is going on?

It is such a legitimate question!   The truth is I need weeks like last week to remind myself that this life thing can be very difficult and being Healthy and Fit in all 5 areas isn’t easy to do.  Some of us are facing pressures that are way beyond “normal”.  We have disappointments, frustrations, deadlines, and pressures that bring us way over the top.  On top of that some of us are dealing with other people in our lives that seem to take their disappointments, frustrations, deadlines and pressures out on us and we have to deal with their tongue lashings as well-like we needed that!  I mean, don’t we deal with it enough in our own heads?  Now, someone else is spitting hurtful words our way too?  Sigh… 

I have to remember that through it all, all I know is the first place that I must personally go is inward.  Let me explain.  God gave me a vision when I was dealing with my divorce.  Here’s how it went.

I was near a lake sitting near a big tree holding my knees.  The winds were crazy!  Wipping and blowing in every direction.  Dirt and leaves were being picked up and carried within it, hitting me every which place.  I could barely see because I needed to squint so hard.  I didn’t know where to go or what to do and I was scared.  As I looked out on the water, I saw someone coming closer.  I stood to get a better look because after all, who walks on water and especially in tornado type winds?? What was interesting was my long hair was being tossed and thrown around while his was calm and in place.   I was being pummeled by the debris  while nothing was touching him.  He came closer and smiled at me.  When he reached out for my hand and took it, I just kept looking into his eyes.  They were peaceful and comforting.  As soon as we held hands, my hair stopped blowing.  I was no longer being hit by specks of stuff.  All was calm but only right where we were at; only within the two of us.  The waves were still going and the trees were still bending, but all was still between the two of us.  He said to me to keep my eyes firmly fixed on him and I would be just fine.  Those eyes…They were kindness, beautiful, warm, strong.  Like a fathers tender loving kiss on my forehead  or a big brothers caring hug.  I didn’t need to impress.  I didn’t need to worry.  I just needed to focus my attention straight into those eyes, and he would help me through this storm.

What was and continues to be amazing for me with that story is God doesn’t promise to get rid of the storm.  I had to go through it.  I don’t know why sometimes we have to go through some of the awful things we have to go through, but I know there’s a purpose.  It’s not to die.  It’s not to complain.  It’s not to shrivel up and become a nobody who’s all used up.  Nope.  It’s always about learning some lessons so that we can help someone else go through it later.    There are moments in each persons day that God reveals himself to us.  What’s difficult is that we get so distracted by our “wind, waves, and debris” that we lose sight of  “those eyes”.

Yesterday, I was checking in on twitter and Facebook through my phone and I was still asking how I could share still achieving our High 5 in the midst of being exhausted when a small beautiful lady bug swooped down and landed right on my white phone.  It stopped me immediately.  I smiled and admired it for a bit, letting it crawl around.  I love ladybugs!  They always make me smile.  They are so tiny and fragile and yet so tough!  I love the scene in A Bug’s Life when Frances gets hit on by a couple of bugs and he gets angry saying “oh just ’cause I’m a ladybug you automatically think I’m a girl?”  the bugs freak out “Gee’s she’s a guy!”  Ha!  At any rate, I love ladybugs.  What I found interesting is that God reached down and lifted my chin to see His face once again by a small little creature landing on my phone.  I was able to look into His eyes once again and find the calm.  I connected with Him and was reminded that even the ladybug is taken care of by His greatness, how much more will I be taken care of?  I was able to stop my mind racing and my heart running on empty and “Be still”-filling my heart again with gratitude and love.  My tanks were now filled up and I could go for another day because I had my stillness with Him looking into His eyes.  It didn’t have to take long.  I just had to refocus.  He is good and He does care.

These moments are all around us within everything we come into contact with.  We just need to turn our attention and see them.  When they come into view, we need to stop, if only for a moment, and Be still giving credit where it’s due-to God Himself and say “Thanks.”  He’s in the BIG things-yes!  But He’s in all the small things as well.  Today, I woke up knowing what to  write about.  As I came to the computer, A friend of mine took a picture of a FLA sunrise over the beach and shared it on facebook…I breathed it all in.  It’s beauty and grace-another day has been given and I am blessed to be able to enjoy it as I see fit.  I smiled.  “Thank you God for being such a great artist and painting such beauty, in Florida: sunrise over the beach, in Hawaii: waves over volcanic rocks, in Northern MI:  Fall leaves being kissed by sunshine!  Where ever you are physically, mentally, emotionally, take the time to be still and see into His eyes the beauty, grace, and peace that he is so willing and desiring to give to you!

Breath deeply….sigh.  Now isn’t that better??  Go get your day and make the most of it!

~Pamela “Red Fox” Smith

Red Fox Fitness Pamela DeVrou Smith