relaxouch

Good day. Restful day. 

Slept in. Mr. brought me Starbucks in bed. Nice warm bath. Then I went down to check out the spa. I decided on a Swedish massage.

It was a really wonderful experience. I came to realize quickly that it was the typical massage I get in the country in which I live. However, there was no comparison. This woman was so skilled, her technique so refined. It seemed as if she knew just where each muscle and nerve ending was, how everything fit together. With minimum pressure she gave one of the most relaxing, yet deep, massages I have ever had.

It was a real eye-opener. I had no idea what I was missing out on. The girls back "home" go through the same motions, but they lack the deeper skill and understanding. Although they push harder and expend much effort, they do not deliver as good a massage as this lady seemed to give with ease.

I started thinking about Jesus, about how He always seemed to know where a person was hurting. He always understood how to touch the right nerve, how to get at the heart of the matter. He could reach past their words to the deeper needs that went unexpressed.

How did He do it? 

I was talking to someone the other day about sharing our faith, and we were wondering the same thing. It occurs to me that we are as unskilled as those other masseuses. We blunder around, we push hard, with no real idea of what the person actually wants or needs. We come at them with our own ideas and agendas. 

I would love to touch people spiritually as skillfully as that lady delivered her massage today. I would like to learn to hear them as deeply and Jesus did.

I meant to meet with Him today. I had every intention. After the massage I had lunch with the Mr. We were going to hang around the pool and read and swim, but we forgot to take the rainy season into account. So, by the end of our meal it was pouring buckets.

Back in the room, I started reading a Bible passage and a commentary, but I kept nodding off. I simply couldn't keep my eyes open, especially not with the gray, rainy skies outside. I fought it for a while, but finally succumbed.

I read a little more, and then got ready for a yoga class. It was free for guests in the hotel, so I thought, why not? It was pretty fun; I am flexible so was able to do most of the positions. But I hit a bit of trouble when we got to the balancing part. I was attempting to balance on my hands, with my knees on my elbows when I did a face plant into the mat. I think I would have been OK, except I had my glasses on. SO I have two gashes (one above and one below my eye) where the lens hit my face. Feeling a bit sheepish, I continued with the rest of the class, and then returned to our room and to a good bit of ribbing from my Mr. I had to laugh too. I will probably have a good shiner.

Anyway, despite my tumble it was a restful day. Out for a good supper. Buffalo wings, Cobb salad, and a really good stout. Now time for ice on my eye and bed. Hopefully the kitty is doing well.