Moments
It’s weird how your life can change in a moment. In the blink of an eye, something can be taken away, or added, or altered and the outlook on your life is drastically different than the day before.
This happened to me at 9/11. I had been trying to start a sports newspaper business with a friend, to go along with the website we created (and is essentially the same one I help run today). We had a business plan and ideas and even a couple of papers done and delivered.
Then the towers crashed down and suddenly what was important before wasn’t so much anymore. I realized I just wanted to get a job and support my family. All the time and effort that goes into running a business just seemed like a way to waste my life on something that wasn’t that important.
Where did I want my priorities? On work or life? And I choose my life, and I’ve never regretted that decision.
I think the same thing may have happened to me last night, but the event that triggered it wasn’t anything like 9/11. It was a simple (or not so simple) conversation with Jina that really got us both thinking, and me in particular, about my life. I get so caught up in “things”…like blogging, or starting new blogs, or playing games, or posting on forums, or whatever. There are many distractions to me that become habits that are hard to break.
These things I choose to do become obligations and I have a responsibility towards them. My thoughts wander to what I need to get done even when I’m supposed to be spending time with my wife or friends. Thus I waste my time in front of the laptop making sure they get done…and end up with my focus away from what is important.
Like friends. Family. My wife. Life in general.
God.
I’ve stretched myself too thin. I’m missing out on the things God has planned for me by doing what I want.
Time for a change.
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wow Mike. i am so glad you shared this! i also had one of those moments this week when i finished the book i was reading, sex god by rob bell. it was like parts were written just for me and it finally clicked in my head. it’s weird how much impact simple words, whether written or in a conversation, can make in an instant. i hope to hear more about your thoughts on this next week!
Thanks Nicky…it is amazing how things suddenly become clear in just a moment.
Talk about weird…I too had a moment like that today. It was the first day back at school and everything that seemed so important at one point in my life now seemed silly or not even worth my time. Maybe God is touching us all for a reason…
What doesn’t seem important anymore Deb?
I know what you mean. For me, at least lately I feel like God has been putting me in situations to teach me or Deb and I something.
I think we’ve finally started to figure out what he’s trying to teach us with my job and the travel that’s been so challenging. I think it’s to show us how far we’ve come with our relationship with eachother and with him. We’ve learned we can handle a lot more than we ever thought we could and we’ve both learned how to keep our relationship strong even though we’re separated. It’s really helped us understand what’s most import to us; God, our family, our friends.
Even though it hasn’t been easy and we feel like Satan has been at us when we have been at our weakest, we’ve been able to get through it. I don’t know that we could have a few years ago.
Now, we just hope it’s time to move on to something else.
I’m sure we still have a lot to learn.
Having things be “my way”, trying to convince other people to see things a certain way. Basically today I realized that I can’t change the way people think and that I don’t want to waste time and energy fighing and arguing. And I was able to walk away from a situation and not be bitter and angry for hours after. It was a big step for me today.
Anyway…I teach for the kids, not for me or anybody else. Did I ramble too much???
Thanks for a great post that helped me feel that maybe I’m not as alone as I think I am sometimes…
Nice Deb, Jina told me a little about your phone conversation…and I’m glad you are seeing things that way. It’s not easy to let those things go…
Scott, let us know the minute you hear anything…we’re anxious to have you back in the group
Got an email from them tonight, looks like I’ll be interviewing in San Fran next week…hopefully. I’ll update you all when I know more.
man, reading over these comments makes me realize how much i love you guys. seriously, if i don’t say it enough, i am so glad to have you all as friends. (sorry i am getting way mushy right now) but i mean it! anyway, we’ll be praying for the interviews scott!
You’re just saying that Nicky cause I added Swish-Style to my Blogroll
Kidding…you are right though…it’s great to be friends with you all.
Good news, I just found out tonight that I’ll be interviewing in San Fran Monday nite. I’m anxious and curious to see how all this plays out.
Thanks everyone for your support and prayers!
Woooooo! Good luck Scotty!