When I opened my laptop this week, I was greeted by a black screen with not even a brief flash of light or sound of whirring fan. I tried several different things, but my laptop remained silent and dark.
For months, I set aside this week for a personal writing retreat. As I loaded bags into the car, I fumed internally about planning that goes awry because of technical snafus or other unexpected hindrances. Yet, determined to make the most of the week regardless, I not too gently plunged my laptop into a padded bag and flung it into the back of the car.
I picked up a bagel and coffee to consume prior to leaving, and heaved a sigh of frustration when I discovered my bag was devoid of cream cheese. Don’t people know you have to have cream cheese with a bagel? My mood of frustration increased and threatened to derail my week.
Rest
When life goes the least bit haywire, panic and anxiety latch on and make themselves fully at home in our hearts and minds. This seems especially true when you need to detach from life’s frustrations and rest.
I’ll be honest. This spring has been hard. A whirlwind of activities, combined with a more intense level of grief, have left me feeling exhausted.
While part of this week is about writing, the other part is about resting. Many of us have trained ourselves to the mindset that rest equals laziness. It doesn’t. You don’t get points of any kind by constantly pushing yourself. Pay attention when your body speaks (and it does) and allow time for rest.
Reflect
I’ve done a lot of reflecting and remembering this spring. Not all of that reflection is positive. Some has forced me to dig deep, confess, process hurts, and shed tears. But other times of reflection are filled with joy.
Our perspectives change over the course of our lives. Some things that felt so huge at the time, so hurtful, so overwhelming, have lost their intensity. With age, we process differently; we mellow.
Part of my reflection revolves around music, which has always been a significant part of my life. I’ve sung in the same choir for over fifty years. I sang in a college choir, took piano and organ lessons, and am a lover of classical music and church music. Music stabilizes me when my world seems to be spinning out of control. Music soothes the wounds of this earthly life.
Another aspect of reflection comes as I watch my grandchildren. In them, I see my children, and I see myself. I remember joys and fears from their ages and stages. I remember the blessing of a loving family.
Reboot
Reboot: (with reference to a computer system) revive or restart; to give fresh impetus to.
Obviously, as evidenced by the fact that my blog posted, I was able to get my computer up and running again. However, not without excessive online sleuthing, a workaround, and lots of prayer. What I worried about while I traveled was resolved once I reached my destination.
The same can be said of life. The frustration and worries of our life journey will be resolved in eternity.
All of us need a reboot occasionally. With rest and reflection, we can refresh our thoughts, restart stalled projects, revive enthusiasm, and bring fresh impetus to forward motion.
God is the giver of refreshment, the reviver of the weary, and the rebooter of our souls. When you pause to rest, reflect, and refresh, don’t leave God out of the process. He provides a fresh perspective far superior to anything you can manufacture on your own.
“The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love” (Zephaniah 3:17 CEV).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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