Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Sun in the morning, and rain in the afternoon..at least, that was the pattern for yesterday. It started slowly, without thunder or lightning and then just settled into and nice, steady shower for about ten minutes. I had to take the flag down, because of tradition and I did not want it to get wet, but since it was late in the afternoon, I would have taken it down soon, anyway.
The yard crew just got finished...it only takes them about ten minutes with three people working, but I don't have much grass, anyway. Jim rides the mower, and two guys edge and blow. They get 'er done!
Brian had come over in the evening to take my dumpster down to the curb and the mower guys pulled it back up for me, when they got through. I appreciate all the help I can get!
I did laundry yesterday, and then took off for the closed library to put books in the drop off container, followed by 3 cars with the same idea. After getting a "steak frank" for my lunch from Steak and Shake, I headed over to the park. Not too many people were there, but several joined tables were set with a lot of food and someone was grilling.
The canal is still very low on water, and the egrets and ibis and also the roseate spoonbills seem to really like it. There is a lot of over growth in the middle and that is where they like to peck for food. I was in time to see a hawk fly up into the trees with his catch of the day. God is good!
From the devotional book Quiet Moments with God
Let us strip off anything that slows us down or
holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap
themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up.
Hebrews 12:1 TLB
Those who counsel the clinically depressed often suggest the HALT! Method to their patients . HALT is an acronym based upon these four words:
. Hungry
, Angry
. Lonely
. Tired
Too much of any of these conditions can result in a stress overload and lead to a downward spiral that eventually crashes into a form of depression. When two or more of these conditions are present, the downward plunge happens faster, with greater pain. And, if all four conditions are present as an ongoing pattern in a person's life, the person's depression may not only be deep, but life itself may be endangered.
To compound the problem, hunger, anger, loneliness, and exhaustion tend to cluster together. If you are overly tired, it's easier to become angry. If you have missed a meal, you are likely to get tired more quickly, and so forth.
Therefore, any time you are feeling too hungry, , too angry, too lonely, or too tired...it's time to call a HALT! and to take immediate remedial action. Have a healthy bite to eat. Release your anger in prayer, exercise, or an act of reconciliation. Call a friend, and pour out your heart. Take a nap, or go to bed early.
"Call it to a halt" and "enough is enough" are well known phrases we need to apply on a daily basis. Don't neglect your personal nutrition. Get enough sleep. Balance your life with friendships. Live in peace with the people around you.
As you prepare to come to the end of your workday, it's especially important you remember to HALT! Don't push yourself into overdrive, even if you have to work overtime. Avoid setting yourself up for a crash by staying well fed, calm, in touch with friends. and refreshed.
"Holy leisure" refers to a sense of balance
in the life, and ability to be at peace
through the activities of the day; an ability
to rest and take time to enjoy beauty.
An ability to pace ourselves.
Richard Foster
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
