U is for Understanding

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6, New International Version

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7, New International Version

T is for (Oh so very) Tired

 

I have discovered much about myself over the past few years. Understanding yourself is vital; each of us are 'fearfully and wonderfully made' and unique. What works for me may not work for you. I'm grateful I found out who I am when I did.

I now know that:

• I am an introvert. I can survive in the world but I get exhausted quickly by social interaction. I can do crowds but not for long!
• I am an Early Bird rather than a Night Owl. By early evening (just when so many are looking to hit the local clubs) I'm looking forward to hitting the pillow. 

You want to get to know me? An early morning rendezvous please, one to one. And bring coffee!

S is for SatNav

I am old enough to remember life without a satellite navigation system. Which is okay, because I like to rely on my own map (the one in my head) if I need to get anywhere. I have to rely on the tech if I have to go anywhere that I've never been to - or when I haven't been there for a while. There's always a map book in the car (under the driver's seat) in emergencies. Yes, an old fashioned paper map book.

The recent Congress in Birmingham was a case in point. I wouldn't have been able to get there without the tech. However, the number of road closures that were in place in the City centre sent me scatty. The City was due to host the Commonwealth Games and had shut over 200+ roads closures and even some parking sites! The map would have been useless - even with Sat Nav I kept going in what seemed like circles!

I was so pleased to eventually park and trust to my own feet!

R is for Resources

When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun...
(lyrics from 'He Giveth More Grace", by Annie Johnson Flint)

Q is for Quiet

We all need a little space to ourselves so we can recharge. This ensures we can function at our best and enjoy time with others. 

It's just that introverts like myself need more of it. For introverts, time alone is as essential as sleeping or eating. If we don't get enough alone time we get... cranky!

That's why I tended to scoot off quickly at the end of the Congress session while so many others were milling around. And why I was often alone in the Congress marketplace well before I needed to be. 

Peace and Quiet! Bliss!

P is for Performance

The Together 2022 event featured a whole host of different performances from a variety of bands and singing groups.

However, one main difference between a traditional music group and that of a Salvation Army group is the reason behind the performance. And I think that makes all the difference.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17, New International Version

 

O is for Overthinking

A bit of honesty now.

I messed up over the weekend. I thought that one person was someone I knew well, when it turned out to be someone completely different who I knew a little. An easy mistake to make, perhaps. However, my brain won't let me forget it...

A week after it happened and I still can't help but try and justify to myself why things worked out as they did. I relive the moment again and again. My conscious self interrogates my unconscious self in a way that makes me think of gaslighting... surely I have remembered it wrong?

If I behaved inappropriately, I'm sorry.

N is for (Here is the) News

It's important to keep up with the news - particularly in times like these when situations change quickly and you need to be aware what you are supposed to do; what the experts say you should do... Even throughout the Congress I had one ear on the news updates.

However, how draining it is to hear some of these news reports... and consuming too much bad news can trigger mental health issues. And even when we are using the internet we are bombarded with information - some from traditional media, some from social media. 

”Some may log onto social media apps with intentions other than to get news updates but may inadvertently get exposed to news posts from connections,” said Jacqueline Sperling, a clinical psychologist and faculty member at Harvard Medical School, in a comment to CNBC.

Be careful what you take in. It can affect your mental attitude. 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8, New International Version

 

M is for Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a technique you can learn to be fully present and engaged in the moment without judging anything. It can help you manage your thoughts, feelings and mental health.

When my feelings seem to overwhelm me, when I can't tell what is true and what isn't, when my emotions drown out the voice of sanity... I can stop and press the reset button! I'm just learning my way through this technique at the moment so am not particularly good at this - however it has already helped me.

It may well help you. 

L is for Love

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39, New International Version

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

1 John 4:16, New International Version