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Thursday, February 25, 2010

Not a human doing

In last week's Friday Fragments, I commented that the Facebook "God Wants You to Know" application is frequently and uncannily on target.

Today I left home at 6:45am and didn't return (except for one 20 minute period) until after 8pm tonight. And what was my message from God on Facebook today?

FB Msg from God

... that you are a human being, not a human doing. Take time to just be, to breath slowly, to feel your body that is the temple of your soul. No activities, no worries, no buzzing.

Buzzing certainly feels like my day today. In the 13 hours I was gone from home, I made 21 stops (that's not an exaggeration -- I just counted!) The message reminds me of a song I heard on a retreat once. The refrain goes like this:

Just to be is a blessing.
Just to live is holy.
Just be be, just to live
is a blessing, is holy.

It's probably been 14 years since I was on that retreat, but I've remembered that song. It helps that I had the lyrics taped to the fridge for about 8 years. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with activity, but sometimes I feel guilty if I just sit. I think that's a common thread among mothers. The reality is that my to do list (and yours) will never be completely checked off.

So, we have to start putting ourselves on our own to do lists. (I talked about this with regard to health in my latest Fit City blog entry.) We have to get in touch with our human being-ness and learn to quiet the noisy nagging of the human doing within us.

Tomorrow, however, will not be one of those quiet days. After I drop the kids off at school at 7:15am, I'm headed to have my makeup done and begin the festivities that are in store for the Go Red for Women luncheon.

But Saturday? Saturday, I fully intend to bless myself with just being. Holy rest and relaxation, Batman! That sounds fabulous.

5 comments:

ruth holladay said...

What a fine reflection. Just heard a homile last week that included "not taking time to go to the desert" as one of our contemporary sins; we are so busy on the fast track, etc. Today we go to the well; tomorrow the desert. I am with you, Amy. Really have loved getting to know you and I feel as if I have a friend for life in you.

Sharon said...

That app IS surprisingly on target.

I hope your Saturday will be all you need/want. I'd be exhausted after 21 stops in one day!

Janet said...

Amy,

Thanks for sharing.

I've been thinking about you and your day since I got up this morning. I hope that is better than you could have ever imagined. I can't wait to hear about it and to see pictures.

Enjoy your blessed Saturday too!

Shelley said...

Sometimes at the end of the day, my neck and shoulders are tight and I wonder, "What's wrong with me?" and then realize that I have taken NOT ONE SECOND to relax all day and I've stored up hours worth of tension. Ouch!

Have a lovely, restful Sunday. You deserve it.

Amy said...

Well, restful Saturday FAIL. Maybe today. After church. And the gym.