Baby Steps
Babies naturally practice self care and preservation better than most adults.
They eat when they are hungry.
They sleep when they are tired.
They laugh at the little things.
They cry when they need to cry (and sometimes when they don't).
Even though they may not understand it, babies allow their young lives to progress in slow stages. While they go through these stages, they are gentle with themselves in understanding that it is a slow process to change and growth.
They take baby steps.
I am at the point in my recovery from hip surgery where I am literally learning how to walk again after being on crutches for over 6 weeks. My legs are weak and tired. My muscles are easily strained. I am taking baby steps because my body won't allow me to do much more right now.
Despite the weakness and pain that I feel and recognize, I have a strong desire to throw my remaining crutch on the ground and start running!
I have learned that is often how many things go as I move into my adult life.
I don't want to wait for God's timing. I want things to happen NOW.
I don't want to accept that I am still a new teacher that is learning and growing. I want to be the best I can be NOW.
I don't want to be absent from school anymore. I want to be fully healthy and recovered NOW.
I don't want to accept that I am not going to be perfect in this world. I want to be perfect and on my path to sainthood NOW.
The list could go on forever.
What I have learned recently though is that baby steps are a game changer - for my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
There is a reason that we are still called Children of God as adults. The Scriptures tell us that "whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 18:4).
To humble ourselves like a child means to understand that we cannot do things on our own. God does not expect us to do anything by our own power, strength or energy. The best days I have had as a teacher have actually been the days that I have been the most exhausted. On those days, I beg the Lord for energy and strength, knowing full well that there is no way I can show His light without His joy and energy overshadowing me.
We must be gentle with ourselves and one another. Celebrate the small victories. Cry when you need to cry (and when you don't). Eat and sleep because it is good for you and your health. Pray as you can each day and in each season of life.
For now, I will be picking up my crutch, doing my PT exercises, and thanking the Lord for each small step that I take.
They eat when they are hungry.
They sleep when they are tired.
They laugh at the little things.
They cry when they need to cry (and sometimes when they don't).
Even though they may not understand it, babies allow their young lives to progress in slow stages. While they go through these stages, they are gentle with themselves in understanding that it is a slow process to change and growth.
They take baby steps.
I am at the point in my recovery from hip surgery where I am literally learning how to walk again after being on crutches for over 6 weeks. My legs are weak and tired. My muscles are easily strained. I am taking baby steps because my body won't allow me to do much more right now.
Despite the weakness and pain that I feel and recognize, I have a strong desire to throw my remaining crutch on the ground and start running!
I have learned that is often how many things go as I move into my adult life.
I don't want to wait for God's timing. I want things to happen NOW.
I don't want to accept that I am still a new teacher that is learning and growing. I want to be the best I can be NOW.
I don't want to be absent from school anymore. I want to be fully healthy and recovered NOW.
I don't want to accept that I am not going to be perfect in this world. I want to be perfect and on my path to sainthood NOW.
The list could go on forever.
What I have learned recently though is that baby steps are a game changer - for my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
There is a reason that we are still called Children of God as adults. The Scriptures tell us that "whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 18:4).
To humble ourselves like a child means to understand that we cannot do things on our own. God does not expect us to do anything by our own power, strength or energy. The best days I have had as a teacher have actually been the days that I have been the most exhausted. On those days, I beg the Lord for energy and strength, knowing full well that there is no way I can show His light without His joy and energy overshadowing me.
We must be gentle with ourselves and one another. Celebrate the small victories. Cry when you need to cry (and when you don't). Eat and sleep because it is good for you and your health. Pray as you can each day and in each season of life.
For now, I will be picking up my crutch, doing my PT exercises, and thanking the Lord for each small step that I take.
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