Once in a while everyone comes to a point when they have to just step back and as my friend Rhonda says, “close the gate”. My “closing the gate” may not be the same but, I’m finding I need to step back for a bit.
We’ve had a few challenges that have set us on our heals and seriously shaken us to the core leaving us both feeling very hurt and emotionally battered. I’m finding its become unstoppable, like a huge wave, flowing into and affecting all other aspects of our lives. We both are having a difficult time focusing or sleeping. I’m having a difficult time maintaining commitments I’ve made. As a moderator on the Down_To_Earth Forum (I haven’t been able to do for a week) and the Ruby e-zine article I’m 2 weeks late with. Both are such wonderful & joyful places to be a part of.
With a lot of prayer, & supporting each other we’re taking baby steps to move forward but, needing to let some things go, at least for a little while.
We have for the past 10 years co-chaired what is called the Advent Project at our parish. To our family this project is our Christmas, interviewing those in need, coordinating sponsors with recipients of a pantry restock & gifts of clothing & toys for children. This year we have scaled back and only have 50 families sponsored. When we found ourselves making comments such as, let’s just get through this year we knew we had to make a few personal changes. Everything else we do is set aside for now as this needs to be done with a good spirit & joy in our hearts. Anything less would not be right and in fact be a disservice.
Tomorrow night is Advent Eve for us, all the groceries & gifts will be brought to church and Saturday morning will be delivery day.
So, we’re stepping back …. and closing the gate on everything for a bit, trying to find our balance.
Please take of yourselves!
ReplyDelete*Hugs-a-bunch*
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry Katie but glad you're taking care of yourselves and working at it. Life is a struggle and then when something or things knock you down it's not like being a kid and you can just pick yourself up, dust off, and go at it again. Somethings make you want to lie in the dust and stop the reeling world before you can even think about getting up. Take as long as you need to think about getting up. Praying for you. It's a rough year.
ReplyDeletePraying for you. Stay focused on who you are and WHOM is the greatest giver of all. Stan and I went through a very deep dark valley four years ago and without the Lord, neither of us would have made it back into the light. We still have some rough days, but we know we are strong in Him and He will see us through.
ReplyDeleteSo, yes, close the gate for a while and take care of yourself.
Deep breath, ground, center, balance.
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourselves.
Thanks ladies for the bloggy love. Some times "wiseing up" and taking off the rose colored glasses is painful. We just need to be for each other for a while.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you Katie and hoping that things come back together for you and yours. Closing the gate is something we all have to do once in a while. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI understand about needing to let some things go. *Hugs*
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're on the right track. "Be for each other" - I think every person - ever - in any kind of ministry understands this need.
ReplyDeleteYou are one wise woman, I've always thought that. Closing the gate is a sensible thing to do. Recharge, take naps, care for each other and yourselves and only open the gate again when you feel you've had more than enough.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the work you do on the forum. It is a better place for you being there.
Merry Christmas. I hope your Advent project warms your heart and helps those in need.