The Present of Fellowship

In December of 2010, I wrote about the present of the present: The gift of the moment and how staying in the present helps us to have peace. Currently, I’m thinking about another present that God gives us: Fellowship and how it is that I can be feeling down and spend some time with others and feel completely renewed. I’m not sure what it is that causes me to be pulled out of the blah’s, but something about being around others gives me a new outlook.

I remember, early in sobriety, feeling like I was about ready to give up. Then I would go to an A.A. meeting and come out pumped up, with a renewed sense of purpose in my life. I also can get that way when I help someone or just spend time with others. I think it has to do with getting out of myself. I can isolate easily and I don’t think that is good for me psychologically or spiritually. I’m really a people person and if I isolate and feel lonely it messes with my head. So I believe God gives me the present of fellowship to draw me out of myself and isolation. That refreshes my spirit and gives me direction in my life. It really is a gift.

Pressing on with excellence!

Keith

The In-Between

What do you do when you think something is going to happen and it seems to be taking longer than you think? I’m in that position right now. I’m almost stumped about what to do next. I don’t want to give up, and I won’t, but I guess I will have to wait awhile to see my answer. I may have to wait but I won’t lose heart because I know the one who has the play book. When the timing is right it will happen or God will show me something else he wants me to do. It is easy to become frustrated or impatient but it will not help the situation. It is easy to worry or fret but I will not do that anymore. I am done with that kind of thinking. I have already wasted too much of my life doing that. It is not productive. It will not help the situation. It won’t even make time go any faster. I am going to do what is right in front of me right now. I will not procrastinate I will just do the next right thing.

What do you do in the between?

Pressing on with excellence!

Keith 

Perspective

I think perspective is one thing that is amazing. Every one of us has a different perspective which causes us to act one way or another. When you hear one side of a story you may think a certain way, until you hear the other side. Then you might think entirely differently. If you are close minded, you may be blocking yourself from really knowing the whole truth. It is sometimes easy to act when you hear one side, only to find out that you were wrong. Sometimes that is a hard pill to swallow. I can’t count the number of times that this has happened to me. Then I have to suffer the consequence of my action, which is usually embarrassment. Because I didn’t know the whole story I said something that I shouldn’t have. 

I have learned, over time, to slow down, and to try to get all of the facts before I rush to judgment. The Bible says we should be slow to anger, but quick to forgive. But do we really do this? This is one thing I try to keep in mind when it comes to my perspective of things. Patient responses would be the best for me, but I’m not always as patient as I should be. This seems to affect all areas of my life; from settling a dispute between my kids, to conversations with my boss, or even in a leadership position at church. It is best to withhold judgment and get the whole perspective. Proverbs says one who keeps his mouth shut appears to be wise until he opens it and proves otherwise (Keith’s paraphrased version). My opinion is only my perspective and may be wrong depending on the facts.

Pressing on with excellence!

Keith