Run Yourself Ragged...

When I was a kid, we had this crazy game where you tried to use magnets and levers and all kinds of things to move a ball bearing from the beginning of the game board maze to the end. The game was called Run Yourself Ragged (google it -- it's real) and I LOVED it.

Apparently, I've never outgrown the game...BUT... now I play it with my life ...AND...I think it’s something God wants me to give up...

((When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11)) -- or at least I’m trying to put away the childish things that harm me -- and NO, I don’t think the bubble wand & bubbles on my back porch are doing any harm ;))

Living life in a pretty much perpetual state of vacation -- or state of planning/working/searching for the next adventure -- sorta mode for the last year has made it hard for me to focus -- or more accurately made it hard for me to focus without hyper-focusing. I like to blame it on the traveler's lifestyle, the working like crazy to accomplish what I had to in as short a time as possible so I could run off somewhere fun and play some more -- Kinda like the working for the weekend concept so many I know engage in weekly, except in extreme overdrive -- I was working (which may have meant volunteer work or cleaning house or planning showers or whatever I was doing that wasn't a "real" job) as intensely as possible to accomplish as much as possible in as little time as possible so that I could take off not a weekend -- but several weeks at a time (sometimes) -- to do nothing more than travel & relax & explore.

I'm not at all sorry that I did those things. I wouldn't trade what I've seen & what I've learned (especially about myself) from those experiences for anything...BUT...I am having to learn how to not play Run Yourself Ragged with my daily life now that those fast-paced, fun-filled travel days are done.

Maybe it's in part because of the life I've lead the last year (or maybe the last 3 1/2 years... or wait, maybe the life I've lead the last 37 years) maybe it's just because it's who I am or who I have become... but whatever it is, I tend to procrastinate & play THEN hyper-focus, over-think & absolutely Run Myself Ragged (and never quite strike a blessed balance between the two) ...

BUT...I think things are changing because I’ve been praying a lot for blessed balance without it diminishing the person I know I’m meant to be AND I believe God is answering me!!! I know I am never going to be "Normal" and frankly, have no desire to be...BUT...I have discussed this ragged rat race mentality with my friend God and here's what I think He's been telling me:

1. You are by far not the only one who feels this way... In a world where everything comes your way at 978 mph the temptation is to go that fast to take it all in or to completely drop out & let it all just rush by -- AND neither is necessary - OR - His plan for my life!!!

2. Make a To - Do list daily...

--Which I have done -- but it's not an ordinary To-Do list. Each and every list has at the top ...”Thank God in ALL things!!!” ... (This is a little trick I picked up from my Daddy -- whose to-do list on the yellow legal pad always started with PTL-- that’s right friends, your kids are watching what you do as much or more as they are listening to what you say & they are learning from it ;) ... I believe that in addition to following the good example set by my earthly Daddy that it is the first thing my Heavenly Father would have me put on my list as well. The list has lots of things on it some days and not as many on others. Some days I mark off absolutely everything and other days I learn that it's ok to move things that aren't urgent to tomorrow's To-Do list & that isn't painful or a failure at all to do so because I am Thanking God in ALL things! The list also has a prayer or a statement or verse at the end every day that is something I want to remember to do for God or for others or even that I think God would have me do just for me! AND while outlining everything for a day makes it more manageable, I think the most important thing that I have begun to learn IS that if my list, my day, my life begins and ends with God all the stuff in the middle isn't nearly as hard to handle.

3. Don't focus on the list...FOCUS on LIFE!!!

Understand that the list is just a guideline, and that HE is my only Guide! He has pointed out to me that goals are good and important, but any 'goal' that leaves me feeling frazzled & frustrated isn't a goal He'd have me pursue. I feel very clearly that He has said -- and would have me share -- that it's really important to Stop Chasing possessions & people & position & provisions that aren't running. I -- and maybe you, too -- am wasting energy trying to get things he has already given me or that He just knows I don’t really need. He has already provided all that I need and if I ask Him even all that I want AND Running myself Ragged chasing things has left little time for me to focus on the amazingly beautiful, wonderful, plentiful things He's already given me.

I feel like my friends are often running as much as I am -- or frankly much, much more than I am - I am running for a family of one when many of them are running to do and be and give to many -- AND -- that God wants us all to know that while he wants us to pursue & press on toward the things He has for us, the he also wants us to slow down and enjoy the incredible blessings that He has already provided us.

While I am still itching to get my hands on a Run Yourself Ragged game board and see if I’m as good or maybe better at it than I was as a kid, I am even more anxious to seek the balance between pursuing goals & ignoring life and to stop living an unfulfilled life where at the end of the day all I’ve managed to do is Run myself Ragged!

OH...and...btw, I do forget from time to time (as God reminds me regularly - I am only human & so are you) ...BUT one of the truly great things I’m learning through all of this is that no matter how many times I forget that God will remind with His words as long as I ask Him to... And here are a few of the words he’s using to remind me that I hope will help you too:

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths -- Proverbs 3:6

Be still, and know that I am God -- Psalm 46:10

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? -- Romans 8: 32

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -- Jeremiah 29:11

I wanna go!!!

In the fall of 2009, I was blessed with the privilege to have some time away from work to travel. I got to go lots of great places and do lots of great things. On every single journey I prepared for I inevitably had someone tell me or text me or message me and say “I wanna go!!!”

Usually the "wanna" was as far as it got. Most of my friends, family, acquaintances, etc. had lots of legitimate reasons that they couldn’t actually pack up and leave.

I was, however, fortunate to find friends to travel along with me -- some physically going along & others following along online -- The experience was amazing and I have incredible memories & more photos than you can imagine to help me remember those blessed & beautiful days.

Another thing I have from my travels is a knowledge about going places. I know how to pack more efficiently than I ever thought I could -- roll your clothes not fold them & bring lots of things that mix and match.

I know the exact routine that must be followed in every major airport for the obligatory pat down I get when the artificial parts I possess set off the metal detector -- sit down, show the bottom of your feet, stand with your arms out and your palms up, explain as they run the black wand over your body exactly what metal it is they are detecting, roll down your waist band, keep your eyes out for your bag and shoes coming off the conveyor belt AND always try to smile and say thank you to the people who have just touched you more than anyone whose name you don’t know should ever really be allowed to.

I know about switching planes and looking for luggage. I know about hailing a cab & about how nice it is to have a concierge who keeps Tylenol in his jacket pocket and a ready supply of advice about the nearest, best restaurants within easy walking distance. I know a lot of things I didn’t know about the country I live in, the people I share the world with, the things I have seen, and I know a lot more about myself because of my journeys. I also know that God went with me every place I went.

And I know that the people who travelled along with me (even if only online) were always anxious to GO!!! I still get anxious to go some times. I still want to see the world and not just the inside of my home or the horizons I’ve looked at so many times before...BUT...not every season is a time for travel in our lives AND yet, I believe that God is always looking to take us on a new journey.

The journey I am on now is not the one where I walk the busy streets of New York City or stroll along the banks of Walden Pond. It’s not the journey where I stand in front of the Green Monster at Fenway or sit below the feet of the statue of Lincoln and look across toward the Washington Monument. Those journeys were good journeys. They were an escape from the every day life I led...BUT...those journeys all had to come to an end.

The journey I am on now begins anew each morning and lasts my whole life through. On my other journeys I flew, I rode subways, I walked, I survived taxi rides, I rode tour buses and even a bus that was a “duck” that operated as well in the water as on land. The journey I am on now is walking trip. It requires me to take new steps, scary steps, big steps and small steps, steps I am afraid to take and steps I know will take me to incredible places if I follow the map God has for me. I am on a journey now AND I am walking out my faith.

Maybe you feel the need to get away. Maybe a trip to DC or NYC or even just down the road to Balmorhea sounds like just what you need AND maybe it is...BUT... maybe the trip you need to take is just a step in the direction toward a God who loves you and has a journey in store for you that you will never forget.

This journey doesn’t require a ticket, a pat down at the airport, hotel reservations, transportation to and from airports and train stations, or any planning on your part at all. Sounds relaxing, rejuvenating, exciting, huh? It is... It’s also scary and challenging and different and difficult at times. It may require you to leave your comfort zone and step out boldly into the complete unknown. The great thing about this trip is that no matter where it leads you, you will never be alone.

Looking to get away, to see new things, to experience people & places in brand new ways, to enjoy activities you never knew you could, to know new things about yourself & life and to truly appreciate all there is to see in the world. A trip, a journey, an excursion, an adventure that and all those things is waiting for you & waiting for me -- All we have to do is get excited about going AND take God’s hand -- He can take us anywhere!!!

Maybe your a little nervous about this trip. I know I am...BUT... I also know... “I wanna go!!!”

PS...Not all the blogs from here on out will deal with travel or with journeys...BUT...they will all deal with my walk with God, what I believe He is teaching me, what I believe He wants me to share with you & my simple observations & my occasional tribulations and the inspirations & exaltations of the best traveling partner ever, the King who calls me friend & who is my God. I don’t imagine that I will likely ever post 2 blogs in one day again & frankly, I will be happy if God gives me words I feel are what I need to share weekly. BUT, I am planning on talking about my flaws and failures and struggles and strife AND how despite all that I know that God is leading me on a meaningful & magnificent journey through life! One He’d like to take you on too. Wanna go???

A different kind of journey -- the one we are all on...

Many, most, or maybe all 7 of you that actually read this, probably started reading this because you wanted to follow me across the country and live vicariously as I encountered new cities, states, and sometimes even countries...BUT hopefully you will stick with me on this as I embrace & examine another journey that I'd like to share...One we are ALL on...The journey called LIFE!!!

While I surely hope that I will never be finished with my physical travels & this blog may occasionally divert back to sharing experiences of different places I encounter, at least for now I am planning to use it as a place to share different thoughts I encounter as I learn to trust God more, hear His voice & see and appreciate the beautiful views and vistas of life he presents in my life every day if I take the time to look and listen.

I thought about starting a whole new blog for this new endeavor -- BUT, since I have a whopping 9 followers on this one I didn't want to alienate my fan base ;) -- and as I walk, run, crawl, am dragged on occasion and often even skip & hop with joy through this journey called LIFE, I frankly wonder quite often and ask my God ...WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE???

And often I take the wrong turns, but the great thing with God is that there's no sign anywhere that says I can't make a big U-Turn and change the way I'm headed... I hit a lot of speed bumps on my journey, I break some 'traffic' laws now and then, I drive through life too fast sometimes, I get horribly annoyed & impatient with other drivers & myself and occasionally I just completely wreck my life...BUT, as far from perfect as I am --( and honestly I am so far from it that even if I unfold the map of my life a couple of times I still can't find Perfect on there) -- I think God is telling me that others might learn from the 'cities of confusion,' 'the deserts of disappointment,' 'the every day avenues of joy,' and all the other stops along the way...SO, I am hoping (and beyond that I am actually really praying that as I step out in faith that this is the road God has for me to travel at this point in my life) that you will come along for the journeys AND share in the wisdom -- God's direction -- as I share some more of my 'travels.' And as the journey unfolds, I pray that you will see & experience & learn - as I am - that there is no reason for anyone to look AT me & what I do or have done...BUT to have the sincere & satisfying & matchless & meaningful journey He intends for us to experience that we all must look TO God!!!