Forced To Slow Down

You ever have those days that a quick, rushed decision forced you to slow down? You are rushing the family out the door, notice you have a soreness in your throat but dismiss it and end up that next morning with a full cold that keeps you in bed? Or rushing around on your computer with a spreadsheet or word document for school you’ve worked on for so long and need to get to class, clicking close too fast that you don’t save any of your work?

That’s me today. Left a building after a meeting and almost stole their visitor badge so went to park quickly and rush in to return it before heading to work. Scrapped the tire and *hiss*, flat tire. Of course, the parking lot is too slanted for my lightweight car jack, the lug nuts on their way too tight we had to take turns getting the wheel off. And that quick trip in turned to an hour of waiting and working to get it fixed.

But of course you have experienced this, we all have. This isn’t my first reminder to slow down or their will be consequences.

But thankfully I had support. My father-in-law to the rescue with his tools. (Thank you John for all of your help) This isn’t just a post about slowing down, but also to count your blessings.

I work with a lot of clients talking about mental health and substance use. Many of these individuals put into terrible situations, whether born into a neglectful and abusive home, have a psychotic disorder they were born with and struggling with hallucinations, or living raised in poverty. Others have made choices with experimenting with drugs that led to a substance use disorder, broke the law and in turn burned all their relationships and now alone, or decided to impulsively move away from family they continued to fight with. They are struggling and alone.

This time of sitting and waiting in my car for the hydraulic lift, I understand I will easily recover from this setback. After I purchase new tires (that I already had planned to replace in a few months), I’ll move on from it and forget all about it. I can take a couple hours of vacation and be ok. But those I mentioned above who are struggling? This might mean they are late to work and due to chronic health problems, don’t have time to take and lose their job. Others might not have the funds to afford a simple repair like this and lose all independence, setting their life back months or years.

I recognize how fortunate I am and as I sit here slowing myself down, say a prayer of thanksgiving for the blessings I take for granted and renew my commitment to serve those less fortunate. I’m thankful for the support in my life with the people around me and what God has entrusted to me. And I’ll ask you to not wait until you are forced into that moment of waiting because of consequences and give thanks for your own blessings.

After The Fact

I wrote this article a week and half ago. In that time, I was again forced to slowdown, but as I shared above, this is now something that happened to me. Severely sprained my ankle and again, forced to slow down, personally this time. In fact, my wife for the first time ever will have to mow part of the yard because I can’t. (And also the reason I have the sprain in the first place) So, slow down now before God puts something in your life to get your attention and slow you down.