I will be the first person to admit that I am stubborn when I decide that I want to do something myself. I also have the type of personality that if I make a commitment, I will see it through until it is done or it is clear to me that I reached the end of all I can do. I also have the type of personality that tends to speak honestly when times demand it. These personality traits have both been a blessing and a curse. I often think where would I be if I wasn’t so stubborn and committed and I wonder at the same time what could have been if I kept quiet and perhaps listened more before speaking my mind.
In the same way these traits have impacted my spiritual life. Like most people, we run a thousand miles an hour and this makes it difficult for me to slow down long enough and hear what God is trying to communicate and say to us. It often takes the wheels coming off life’s car or we are faced with an unexpected event that stops us to really get our attention.
Like so many the Coronavirus has been the one event that has gotten our attention. At the end of March, I had to make the difficult decision to ask my boss to furlough me or I would be left with the only choice I had to quit my job until the virus is no longer an issue. As I wait for the virus to pass and I hope to return to work, I have been spending a lot of time reflecting on life and spending time connecting with loved ones. Like so many it took a number of days for my mind to slow and quiet down and adjust to this new pace of life. It was while talking with my brother that we talked about seeing the virus as an opportunity. It seemed strange at first to think of the virus as an opportunity. As my brother explained how he was using this as an opportunity look at himself and others. It was clear to me he was on to something. It was clear to me from what I saw leading up to all the shut downs and shortages people’s true colors were starting to show.
It was laying in bed at night that it was clear to me that I have a real opportunity here to look deeply inside myself and ask some really hard questions about where my values lay. I could see clearly that over the years I have let somethings like my job take precedents over much of my life. I quickly became aware that I didn’t need the extra “things” I thought I needed and worked so hard to keep hold of. When I looked around at those “things,” I realized I had all I really needed. I also realized that I was carrying around a ton of stress and I was failing to take time to enjoy life. I also had the opportunity to be again on the other side of the register and be grateful for those we waited on me and spending a moment to really recognize the person because they often get overlooked.
As I continue to reflect on the opportunities before me. I realize that real change only happens if I make the choice to walk down this path long after the Coronavirus has passed and it will pass. Lord, let us not forget what we have learned but make last change.
Frank
Thoughts? E-mail: francisearly@francisearly.com
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