My car radio is quite persnickety. It fades in and out, gets very few stations and is often so quite I have to turn it to full volume to hear anything. Then of course, around the next corner the radio waves emit some full strength signal and the car shakes with an explosion of voice.
Last week, my way to work, I turned the radio on in hopes of ‘something’ to connect with. An enthusiastic and optimistic announcer was laughing, filling my car with joy. OK… that’s a good way to start. Then he said, “here is a morsel to ruminate on today…Philippians 4:8 from the Message”.
“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”
Philippians 4:8-9
I ask you, could it have been more perfect for me? I am slipping in and out of contrasting emotions as I begin my final days of work. I can be laughing and anticipating new beginnings one minute and the next tears of frustration as sluicing down my face, despair at my ineffectiveness mixed with the hope I will be able to gift Russ with power of calm.
The words from Philippians catapulted me towards a better option than “slipping in and out of contrasting emotions”. For now, until I can regroup, I must be positive. I can be a bit of a Pollyanna, but recently that particular trait has been in hiding. I need to pull it out of the closet and shine some light on hope, to surround myself with “true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling and gracious”.
We all tend to get caught up in ‘drama’ both in our work world and our personal life. Why does it seem easier to frown than smile? Why is it easier to express and hold onto discontent? Why are there times in life when we must ‘try’ so hard to be in a place of ease?
This scripture was a reminder for my immediate journey, to shift my attitude towards the positive, to surround myself in hope. In leaving work I have gotten many cards of encouragement, speaking of my smile, my attitude, my attention to detail, my willingness to stop and be a friend. I know I ‘have been’ that person and I will be again, but first I will come home to Russ and be the presence of calm for him. I can do this! I will do this! Things look different with a change in attitude and the perspective of time.