Meeting the Porcelain


 I thought I'd share one of the most humbling experiences I endured in 2011. It wasn't a difficult relationship, financial woes, or my health issues, but it was the call of the big porcelain container - a public toilet. 

I probably have some of the strongest thigh muscles among women. I NEVER sit on public toilets - NEVER! I stoop with complete control from many years of experience. If my call to the porcelain container calls for more serious relief, I'll wait until I get home.

Weeell, during a short stay in the hospital, I had to use the restroom. I was just rolled into my room straight out of surgery and I had to go - badly. I felt strong enough to hold onto my IV roller and meet the porcelain container on my own, but the nurse refused. She helped me in the bathroom and she told me to take it easy and sit slowly.

Me: "Oh, I'm not going to sit down, I'm going to stoop."

Nurse: "No, you need to sit down!"

Me: "No really, I'm okay."

Nurse: "You really need to sit down, and we need to catch and measure your urine."

Me:  Experiencing overwhelming anxiety - "Is it clean?"

Nurse: Shocked that I would ask - "YES!"

I hesitated and slowly allowed my bare behind to meet the porcelain. I can't remember the last time I did this, but I was humbled and quite concerned about the germs attaching themselves to me. GROSS! Oh my God, help me!  Auuuuugh!  GROSS!  Why must I endure this!  This isn't happening! Heeeeeelp!!!

I finished my business, washed my hands thoroughly, and came out of the bathroom - pissed, yet relieved.  I told my mother, my sister, my husband, and my two sons who later came into my room and I cried out...."She made me sit on the toilet!  I'll never forget her! She made me sit on the toilet!" Of course I had to use the bathroom every hour thereafter, so I had to meet the porcelain on a regular basis. Good grief!  It was a challenge, but I did it. I survived! I'm still here and if you're wondering if I'll start meeting the porcelain on a regular basis, I must be honest and tell the truth....ABSOLUTELY NOT! I WILL CONTINUE TO STOOP!


Not the actual toilet; this is a copyrighted Internet picture

2012?

Hubby and I were talking and he said, " I wonder what 2012 will bring." I didn't answer because I didn't want to disturb his train of thought. I really don't care what 2012 brings. I'm doing all I can to focus on living my life to the fullest today - tomorrow will take care of itself. If you don't believe this, look back over 2011 and all you've been through. Look back over your life. Hey, you're still standing! Whether you're standing on one leg and barely holding up or standing strong as a tree, you're standing!

It's natural to hope for better days. The economy remains rocky. Those difficult people in our life are still hanging around. The bills continue to come, and as parents, we want better for our children. In spite of all our circumstances, we have to live our life to the fullest day by day. My assurance of the future is sealed with God's promise to never leave me or forsake me. He promised! God said I was more than a conqueror; I can do this! God also said all things work together for my good, so it doesn't matter what the situation looks like, what matters are God's promises to me. 

Whenever I begin to wonder about the future, I change my mental channel to the One who is in charge of the future - Almighty God. It doesn't matter what 2012 holds, I know who holds my future. God has a strategic plan for my life. My job is to stay connected to Him, to abide with Him, to trust Him, and to believe in His promises. 

This may be the last meditation of 2011, but it sure isn't the last of God's promises and mercies to me. Morning by morning new mercies I see - today, tomorrow, and the next year too! What will be, will be! 2012? Bring it on!

My Christmas Yes

I attended a charity event last night and several poets were on the program. One poet in particular shared a Christmas poem. He mentioned the poem was about the one person He thinks about during this season – his mother. I wasn’t expecting the poet to say his mother, but there is one mother every mother should consider during the Christmas season. The mother of all mothers is Mary, the mother of the baby boy who changed the world. When Mary was visited by the angel, she questioned God’s will for her life. Mary didn’t understand God’s unusual plan, but eventually went with the flow in spite of her reputation with friends, family, and her relationship with Joseph. Mary is an awesome example of submitting to God’s will even when it makes absolutely no sense to us. Mary gave God her yes. 

During this season of giving, I’m reminded, by this special mother, to give God my yes. I’m giving my yes to God’s plan for my life. I’m giving my yes to God’s will for my marriage, my sons, my career, my temple, my health, my finances, and every other area of my life. I may not understand or agree with God, but Mary didn’t either. I may question God, but so did Mary. I may even entertain a little fear, and I’m sure Mary did also before she decided to trust God and let Him have His way with her. What an awesome gift Mary gave God – her yes. 

This Christmas is different for me because of my new perspective. This is a time to rededicate my commitment to God by following Mary’s example and giving God my yes. There is no gift we can give God that compares to the gift He gave us – the gift of life, so why not re-gift His gift by giving God what He wants more than anything – a yes to His will and His way in and through the life He gave us. 

Merry Christmas!

Rest!

I haven’t used an alarm clock in over ten years and awake between 4:30 and 5:00 most mornings. I was shocked when I awoke Sunday morning after 11 o’clock. I can’t remember the last time I slept that late without being disturbed. After realizing I still had my bodily functions and was mentally okay, I noticed something else that surprised me. I felt very different. I felt younger. My mind was clearer. I was at complete peace.

As I sat down to enjoy a bowl of oatmeal with raisins, I was reminded why I felt so differently. I got some rest! My mind and body was renewed and rejuvenated.  I’ve always been a believer of getting the proper rest, and now I know that I know…rest is a secret weapon to living life to the fullest. Rest is the secret to dealing with the battles and bumps of life. Mentally, spiritually, and emotionally…rest is the answer. I’m not the only one saying this, Jesus said it too! If He said it, it’s got to be true!

As I basked in my newness, I considered the benefits of spiritual rest in Jesus. Resting in Jesus would give me more mental space and energy. If I cast my cares on Him like He told me to, I would have more mental space to enjoy the abundant life, unspeakable joy, and perfect peace God promised me. Rest!  I know what the busy woman reading this is saying…”When do I have time to rest?” Well, you either make time to rest or end up resting in a hospital bed or six feet under because you’ve run yourself in the ground – literally. Oops! Did I go there? Maybe I got too much rest! 

Find the GoOD in it

I have a friend who needs a kidney transplant, one who needs a heart transplant, one who recently found out her nervous system is out of whack, and one going through radiation treatments. These health issues are far more serious than the recent diagnosis of my severe nasal infection requiring surgery. My health issue doesn’t compare to waiting on an organ or another chance at life. Regardless of my many symptoms and discomfort, someone would love to swap health concerns with me. I try to remember things could always be worse – regardless of my circumstances. In every aspect of my life, I attempt to see not only the good in it, but I pray to see God in it. Self-centered may be my nature, but Christ-centered is my calling. Having a pity party may be my desire, yet prayer and praise is His will. Of course, I could ask for immediate healing, but going through this health storm will increase my faith, trust, and intimacy with my Heavenly Father, not to mention the wisdom and knowledge I’ll gain. 

Getting to know God on a higher level calls for a storm on a higher level. My storm is here. Have your way, Lord! My peace comes from knowing God is with me and knows what is best for me. I’m also reminded this situation is not all about me. My sons’ prayer life will strengthen as they watch mama go through this health storm. Hubby will also be touched as well as others walking through this storm with me. Who knows, you may be touched! Have your way, Lord! Hey, one good thing about this is I have a lot more writing material coming my way! Talk about finding the good! What are you going through today? What’s your financial, family, health, marriage, or career issue? Things could be worse! Ask God to help you see the good and the God in it, then watch your perspective change.