Good morning…
Following yesterday’s post, The Sound Of Too Much, our online community explores today the complexity of “cadence.”
“Hi, Sue,” wrote a man I admire deeply. “Your wonderful message today reminded me of the delightful Spanish proverb I carry in my wallet: ‘How beautiful it is to do nothing and then rest afterwards.’ Love and blessings.”
Another avid learner wrote: “Sue, I love this and it is TIMELY. My sister was in town for just one night last night, and she is the person in my life who has taught me the art of doing “nothing.” A few years ago I moved away from thinking she is lazy:) to recognizing that she just takes time to slow down and do relaxing things. This is not my nature!! She takes a bath (to relax not get clean….what????), records and watches her favorite shows, and needlepoints. So I decided to give needlepointing a try. To my surprise I LOVE to needlepoint and have found that taking the time in the evening to do that actually brings my family around me in the den and NOTHING is being neglected. I think I was just piddling in the evening around my house and not really doing anything that ‘has’ to be done. So now I am a needlepointer and love it. Maybe I should start taking a bath at night too:)))).”
Then a soulmate bared her soul: “Figuring out the right pace, the optimum cadence of my own life is something I’m trying to discern. And, it also strikes me as being rather luxurious. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a blessing and worth far more than any material thing. But, do we ever stop and wonder what a privilege it is that we have the choice? I think about single moms. I see the exhausted landscape workers who work hours on end, sunup to sundown. I think about commuters in this city or people with limited access to transportation and the amount of time they spend getting somewhere just to provide food and shelter for their families.”
“When do these folks get the opportunity to choose?” she helped me to ponder. “Their washing machines are crammed full due to their circumstances. What would our lives look like if you or I were alone responsible for supporting our families?”
Then she nudged me toward a breakthrough: “I wonder if, because we have a choice, it is that much more incumbent upon us to attend to getting this cadence thing right and to make sure that what goes in the washer is in service to others. Some way of helping others so they can find some breathing room. Is there a a mind, body, soul connection that we can help them find—-a cadence for their life that allows them to find peace themselves? How do we help others find this cadence who don’t have the luxury of controlling their time and their responsibilities?”
To top off my fun, full day, last night a good friend and I went to the movies. We thoroughly enjoyed “The Art Of Racing In The Rain.” Our tears were touched by the committed cadence of one dog journeying through life with his ordinary family. There were times of “doing nothing” – watching TV, hanging out in bed, the fun of family being family – and there were times of way too much – caring for the sick, the stress of single parenthood, and being left at times to fend alone. In each and every circumstance, this dog’s whole self was focused on loving fully. It is no wonder dog and God share the same three, simple letters.
Together we learn the secret discovered by the Apostle Paul. I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace] (Philippians 4:12-13, AMP).
…Sue…
P.S. I laughed out loud when I got this email from one of you after today’s message. “Good morning, Sue,” she wrote. “I am not sure what the message is, but yesterday after reading your blog, I had a yearly appointment with one of my Drs., and he ended a story with ‘it disturbed the cadence.’ I saw it as a God moment. I am listening God!?. Love you.”
I thought to myself, “How many times do I hear the word ‘cadence’ spoken in different settings on the very same day?” Surround-sound repetition is one identifiable characteristic of God’s invisible voice.
