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Think On These Things Newsletter>
The Circle Game of Life
February 27, 2008
I have spent the last week and a half feeling miserable.
Winter illness crept through the family, beginning with the
youngest, building with a crescendo that ended with a
thundering crash. The oldest - and the last to get sick -
was the worst case yet. And that would be me. With a head
cold, my capacity to think - much less write - is seriously
diminished. Getting back on the writing track can be a
slow, tedious process.
As usual this morning, our dog Misty bounded down the
stairs sounding like a herd of cattle when I unlocked the
back door. She put on the brakes - sliding on the tile and
stopping just short of the door. She pawed impatiently on
the door before it was unlocked and open. After which she
shot out the door at top speed.
Again, as usual, Misty bounded toward the tree in the back
left corner of the yard, running around it twice. Stopping
to look up into the tree for any squirrels that happen to
be in its limbs. Then on to the second tree - covering all
the bases. Or possibly following a squirrel or bird from
tree to tree. More often than not, she just jumps up and
barks a lot. Suddenly she stops, realizing that there are
no squirrels or birds present in the branches of the trees.
Or the ones that were there left quickly, not wanting to
play at the moment.
There are times when Misty will charge out the door toward
something on the back fence or in the trees over the fence.
She travels at top speed and misjudges the distance it will
take to stop. After failed attempts at stopping, she body
blocks the fence. Followed by a period of confusion while
she stands there looking dazed.. Then Misty wanders to a
place in the yard from which she can observe all relevant
movement.
On sunny days, that spot is close to the middle of the
yard with the sun shining on her. Hot days, however, move
that spot to a section of the flower bed in the shade. If
it is raining, it is underneath the grill and its cover.
While observing her from time to time, thinking about how
careless and futile her actions appear, I realized we do
the same thing. And probably look even more ridiculous than
Misty does.
Every morning I have the same routine. The first part of
that routine is out of my control to change. Cyndy and the
boys have to be off at certain times. Often I need to take
them to work and/or school. After I run around that tree, I
go to my place of observation - basically, my desk. I check
my email and the news, which often accomplishes the same
results as running around a tree or body blocking the
fence.
I was laughing at Misty’s actions while mine closely
resembled the futileness of her actions. We find ourselves
going around in seeming circles, constantly moving, but not
accomplishing much. The days go by so fast we do not have a
chance to stop, regroup, contemplate, and pray. We chase
squirrels and birds from tree to tree, finding a place from
which to watch life go by and protect those we love. But we
never get the full experience of life.
While watching life go by, feeling helpless to control our
life, we need to take those moments that the Lord gives us.
They are there. If we do not take full advantage of the
opportunity, the moment is lost. We need to take those
moments of solitude in prayer and build our faith to
sustain us through those times when we feel as if we are
running around in circles alone.
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