Silence can mean many things
Appropriate in an elevator,
But deafening after a quarrel
Maybe we are fearful to speak
Or have nothing to say,
The truth is some thoughts
Are better left unsaid.
We avoid silence,
Yet travel miles to pursue it
God is a friend to silence*
Be still and listen.
We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is a friend of silence. —Mother Teresa
“Hello, how are you?”
“Busier than I’d like to be.”
Is this your response when you meet a friend? Everyone’s busy. In fact, our culture becomes busier every day. We’ve become a nation of multitaskers who find it difficult to wait at a stoplight without looking at our phones.
I have been busy for most of my life. Mastering the ability to multitask helped me survive the demands of my day. As an elementary teacher, I became a pro at taking attendance, listening to morning announcements, and monitoring the students simultaneously. When I arrived home from work, I helped my kids with their homework while preparing dinner. On Sunday mornings, after I sang with the worship team, I raced to help with children’s church. Sadly, I had linked my self-importance to my level of activity. The thought of too many blank spaces on my calendar made me feel unneeded. I was beyond busy…and eventually I burned out.
Retirement ushered in a major lifestyle change for me. After considering several creative interests, I decided to pursue one hobby—writing. I also decided to cut back on my volunteer work. In this season of my life, my old self tries to make me feel guilty about how happy I am.
Is all busyness bad?
Bees are busy. They work all day flitting from flower to flower collecting pollen in order to fulfill God’s plan for their lives. I’ve never seen a stressed out bee. Like the bees, each one of us has God-given talents which He purposed for us to use. When we stray from our destiny, we flounder.
“The busyness that’s bad is not the busyness of work, but the business that works hard at the wrong things.”
—Kevin DeYoung, author of Crazy Busy.
In addition to working hard at the wrong thing, we can work for the wrong reason. In my case, compliments from others about “what a good job I was doing” encouraged me to work harder, and take on my more responsibilities. I was trying to please man more than God.
A familiar story comes to mind from Scripture. Jesus came to visit Mary and Martha. Upon his arrival, Martha was “distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” She complained about Mary not helping her.
Jesus answered, “Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:41,42 (NIV)
Was Martha working hard at the wrong thing? Was she working for the wrong reason? Either way, Martha had not chosen what Jesus thought was best. She busied herself with what she thought was important, instead of asking Jesus what he might want her to do. As a result, she became stressed out and resented her sister.
Have you noticed when we involve ourselves in God’s plan for our lives, we are happier, and more at peace? Work becomes a joy. Is that why the bees seem so content, buzzing while they work?
I confess I have not completely overcome my struggle with busyness. I want to tune into God’s plan and act upon the “one thing” which is needed instead of multitasking. How about you?
“Ugh! Another lizard entered the house.” I pulled our sliding glass door shut, but it was too late. Herb and I live on the first floor of our apartment building, and every time we open the patio door, we invite the natural world inside.
Welcome to Florida, the epicenter of nonnative reptiles. I recognized our new guest as a brown anole. According to the University of Florida, this type of lizard hitched a ride on a shipment of cargo originating from Cuba during the late 1800’s.
Due to Florida’s warm and moist climate, the invasion of the brown anoles has expanded to every county of the peninsula. They are most common in areas dominated by humans. The little lizards can be found in school yards, gas stations, grocery stores and suburban neighborhood yards. People frequently see them on the ground and perched on tree trunks, fences, and the walls of buildings.
Our little invader jumped into Buddy’s dog bed which gave me an opportunity for a photo.
Isn’t he cute? I think I’ll name him Fred. My usual way of dealing with a lizard is to pick it up in a light-weight towel and release the animal outside. Unfortunately Fred was so fearful, the second I dropped the towel over him, he escaped. After ten minutes of chasing him around our apartment, I gave up.
The next morning, I spotted Fred on the floor between our sofa and end table.
I felt like he was taunting me, bobbing his head and doing little push ups with his upper body. Herb is usually able to grasp these guys with his bare hands. Fred was different. He was the fastest lizard we’d ever seen. A regular Houdini, who flattened his little body enough to slide under the couch.
When Herb and I inched the sofa away from the wall, Fred raced to the other side of the room. The chase began anew whenever we glimpsed him outside of his sofa hideout. Once we opened the patio door and tried to shoo him outside. He would have none of it. What can you do with animal who apparently has a death wish?
I read that anoles can live for a month without food but they can only live three days without water. Why was Fred still alive one week after entering our home? We could only imagine he was sneaking into the shower to lap up whatever moisture might be available.
After ten days Fred disappeared. He no longer came out from under the sofa to greet us. Someday we’ll find his dried up remains under a piece of furniture. What really killed Fred? Curiosity? Fear? Stupidity?
Not to worry. Brown anoles breed during the summer and a female lays one egg every one to two weeks. The eggs hatch about one month later. There will be plenty of Fred Juniors to carry on their invasion.
Someone finally came up with a national day I can celebrate. This Saturday, May 11 is National Dog Mom’s Day. Casey and Leigh Isaacson registered the second Saturday in May to celebrate and thank all the dog moms who work hard to love and support their pets. Casey and Leigh also founded Dig, the dog person’s dating app, as a way for dog lovers to find a compatible date.
Did you know people who love dogs have specific personality traits? For that reason, dog people would have more in common with other dog people. Deciding whether or not to date someone based upon their pet, seems like an idea which has some merit.
So what type of person loves dogs? According to a 2010 study performed by the American Psychological Association dog lovers are extroverted, positive, and agreeable. On the other hand, cat lovers tend to be more introverted, curious, and creative. And snake lovers? Well, they are extremely independent.
Think about it. People usually adopt a dog because they are attracted to the breed and believe the animal would make a good addition to their family. Dog lovers like to exercise, so they enjoy taking their dog for frequent walks. Dog lovers also like to chat with other dog lovers who are out and about. Since most dogs are pack animals, they don’t mind stopping to make friends with another dog.
A few days ago we took our dog, Buddy, to a Beagle Meet Up in a local dog park. We kept Buddy on his leash due to his age and mobility issues. Even though he couldn’t romp with the younger dogs, that didn’t stop him from interacting with them.
Buddy howled and the friendly beagles gathered around to welcome him. After the initial meet and greet butt sniffing behavior was complete, the dogs accepted him into their pack. I’m sure they recognized he was a senior because they treated him with respect. The experience was quite positive. At the Beagle Meet Up dogs and owners enjoy socializing with one another. ( By the way, people who own beagles are emotionally stable.) The Orlando Beagles meet at Lake Druid Park on the first and third Saturday of the month at 9 a.m.
Arroo, to all of you dog moms! You are disciplined, have a strong sense of duty, and are good planners. You are energetic and have a great sense of humor. Keep it up, dog moms. Fido appreciates everything you do.
Does your pet reflect your personality? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you.
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