Time Out

Have you ever gotten to the point where you just needed a good timeout? I'm not talking about for the kids, even though they've all had their share of the time-out corner. This last week I needed a time-out. Things did not go according to MY calendar or plans, but seemed to order themselves without asking me! I let the little things build up and get to me. I tend to do that, and from the look Dave was giving me, I needed a time out. When things get to me, I don't throw a fit, scream, stomp my feet, or hit. No, for me I feel like I'm stuck in a huge snowball that is teetering over a very steep mountain, and when it hits, the ball is shoved over the edge and gets bigger and bigger, going faster and faster, gathering twigs and debris until it runs smack into the side of something and falls apart - revealing how silly my "snowball" really was. What do I aspire to do??? Wouldn't it just be easier for me to realize what is going on and I need to get hold of myself, slow down, and just listen to what He is telling me... I was too busy last week (or so I thought), but I'm ready to listen now to what He was telling me. Last night as I was reading, I re-read Colossians 3:12-15 and re-reading a few sermon notes I had tucked back and I had to reflect on what where my actions (where is my mind, where is my heart), what is my attitude (forgiveness, peace, thankfulness), and what is my Aim (Peace, reflecting Him). I sure didn't let Him rule my heart with Peace, and like a young child, I threw my own "fit" - I needed a time out.

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

When our kids were younger, Dave and I wrote this poem for a scrapbook page we did:

I hit my brother with a ball My Momma told me NO! I thought that she was teasing me, But then she told me so "Time out for you" she sternly said. In shock,I slowly dropped my head. My lip began to tremble and my eyes began to tear, I cried and cried so loudly, just so everyone could hear. She lead me to the corner, "Put your nose right here, young man, And think about just what you've done." But what I know is really this, This is not real fun!