Well, some stomach troubles woke me up at 3:30 this morning. I wanted to go back to sleep in the worst way, but it was not happening. After lying in bed a while longer I got up.
I used the time for some devotions, and then did research for about an hour for a book I want to write. Yeah. We'll see. Just a glimmer of an idea right now. I'll let you know when to look for it on Amazon.
I was supposed to use all of today preparing decorations for that high school banquet on Saturday. And I did; sort of. Well, you see—everything is taking a little longer than I expected. I used most of the morning just gathering materials so that I could get started. I walked everywhere I needed to go, which took longer, but I figured it made up for not exercising this morning (due to an achy tummy).
Then I met with someone for a coaching session over lunch. I would have canceled, but this was the lady who is organizing the banquet, so I figured, in some strange way, she would approve of my use of time.
Made some progress in the afternoon and then, around 3 or so, really started moving along. Of course, we stopped to meet some people for supper, so I had to quit just when I was getting a rhythm. Needless to say, I'm not as far along as I had hoped to be. But, I'm also really tired since I got up so early.
We still have some reading to do for an on-line class tomorrow morning, so when I'm done hear, Mr. is going to read out loud while I cut, fold and paste more decorations. I sure hope I can stay awake, and that my sleep (when I finally do get to bed) is not plagued by any more stomach issues.
I was part of a conversation today that really annoyed me, but I had to make a good show of it and be nice. My internal commentary was in full swing. Nasty things, of course. But then I heard a voice quietly ask, "Would you want Me to broadcast all those thoughts for your companion to hear?" Of course NOT! But, I argued, these thoughts just come. I don't know how to stop them. Unfortunately, the Voice wasn't buying it. OK, You'll have to help me, then, I grumped. Amazingly, although I still disagreed with some of the things being said, the raging storm of words in my head calmed. My heart calmed. I was actually able to relax and take some genuine interest in (parts of) what was being said. It was good to be able to engage without feeling like a fake!
I also think I found out what the bells, drums, and gongs are for at the Chinese temple near our house. I happened to pass by and heard the familiar clanging and thumping. I looked over and there were people standing at the entrance with offerings. Fruit, tea, incense. I wondered if those noise makers were there to wake up the "god" so he could receive the gifts.
I started to scoff at the idea of a god you had to wake up. But then I started thinking. In some ways it would be nice, wouldn't it, to have a god who wasn't so, well, omnipresent. One you could just take or leave, only engaging it when YOU felt like it, everything on your terms. No one to see your every move, hear your every word, and even know your every thought. One that stayed nicely in the temple where it belonged and didn't mess with your every-day life so much.
Yeah, I could begin to see that a god like that might hold a certain appeal.
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