One Another Reflections

I recently turned the big 5-0 and I am still trying to decide how I feel about that!  I think that momentous occasion has caused me to take some time to reflect further on the One Another passages we have covered thus far.  

Most often I use my writing to process through my personal junk.  My intention is to share enough of my journey to show that I have been through some stuff but not too much that you cannot put yourself in the story and see that there is hope for all of us.  I mean, if God can use me and my life for His glory, He can use anyone!  

Even though I studied the previous passages, prayed over them and processed through them prior to writing, I find I still have so much to learn when it comes to the application of them!  I am trying to give myself grace and mercy as I do so and I hope you will as well!  

As I wrote earlier, I recently turned the big 5-0.  My husband and I saved for over a year for a cruise we were going to take with several other couples.  In fact, we should actually be on said cruise as I type.  But, COVID19!  Yes, the cruise was cancelled and we were left with a week of vacation and no plan.  

A month or two ago my husband suggested that due to my detail oriented personality, I am not very spontaneous.  Since we had a house and dog sitter lined up and schedules re-arranged to be out of town, I suggested we take a road trip.  I further proposed that we just get in the car and drive wherever the road took us.  Apparently this was too much forward progress for him.  (He forgot that I am also an all or nothing kind of girl.)  He reigned me in by suggesting we pick a final destination and then take our time and work our way to that destination.  We agreed on the Smoky Mountain area because my husband was born and raised in Texas where the vibrant and various fall colors do not appear as much as the northern states.  

Oh, I also have a tendency to get fixated on things!  So, through sharing our plans with friends and family the subject of the changing color of the leaves came up quite often.  One friend even wondered out loud why the colors changed more in different areas and why they changed colors at all.  

I could not remember the reason and inquiring minds wanted to know so I looked it up.  It turns out that several factors determine how and when the leaves change color but one thing remains true of the leaves.  The color they show as they become less green is there all along.  The color green is most visible because it is needed for photosynthesis.  In the fall they stop making chlorophyll and the green color fades and the other colors are more visible.  

That is very interesting to me.  I have paid a great deal more attention to trees and leaves the last couple of weeks.  Maybe it is turning 50, the long hours in the car, or my recent career change but I have been doing a great deal of reflecting back on my life. 

In an effort to see the fall colors as much as possible, we decided to take a drive along a scenic motor route while in the Smoky Mountains.  My husband and I enjoy hiking at state parks all over Texas so when we saw a sign that said Rainbow Falls Hiking Trail we decided to be spontaneous and walk it.  Nevermind that I had my super cute rain boots on….no, I did not spell hiking wrong, I had on RAIN boots.  The sign said 2.7 miles.  I walk at least two miles every day so I determined that I would be just fine.  

Well, it wasn’t fine.  This was not your average two.seven mile walk.  It was up a mountain!  It was not paved!  There were fallen, slippery leaves covering sharp rocks.  It was NOT what I had pictured!  We were not quite a mile up and my feet were hurting to the point that I knew if I continued it would affect my ability to do all that we had planned for the week.  It was hard for me to admit but, I told my hubby we needed to turn around.  

Side note, on the way down a legit hiker passed us and questioned my choice of rain boots.  He wondered if I was planning on getting in the water.  I explained that nope, that was not the case, we were just driving along and decided to be spontaneous!  He picked up on my salty disposition and laughed.   A bit later he turned and said I was for sure the most fashionable person he had seen on the trail!  It was my turn to laugh.  My kids would never allow that sentence to come from their lips and would find it side splitting funny.  

The next day we dressed appropriately and dedicated to tackle the task at hand.  It.  Was.  Rough!  That was the longest 2.7 miles of my life!  It seemed like 20.7!  I was thankful when we saw other hikers present because it gave us a chance to move to the side for them to pass and for me to catch my breath.  In my defense, wearing a mask did not help my breathing ability.

We finally made it to the Falls.  Rainbow Falls was quite beautiful but I dare say the trek down was even more so.  You see, on the way up I was so focused on making it to the final destination that I missed being present in the journey to the top of the mountain.  The walk down was quite the opposite.  Due in part to gravity playing its role, I was able to look around and truly enjoy the return journey.  The water running down rocks that had been worn smooth by it, chipmunks chasing each other, deer looking for a snack, and those beautiful fall leaves we were there for the viewing and I almost missed it all.  On the way down we did not need to stop to catch our breath, we stopped because we saw views that took our breath away.  As a result, the trip down seemed to go much quicker and smoother.  I actually fell twice going down due to some hidden rocks beneath the leaves but even with those two missteps I enjoyed that side of the journey much more.  

As I reflect on my first fifty years of life, I wonder how many views, moments, or opportunities I have missed due to being focused on the final destination and not the journey.  It actually pains my heart to think of it.  I made a vow on the drive home that I would make sure and stop to enjoy the view in this next stage of my life.  I am going to stop pushing forward so much that I lose my breath and sanity and instead allow the precious moments of life to take my breath away.  

Walking through these One Another verses I have discovered that what I have been sharing with you is what I desperately need to hear over and over.  I also need to use the knowledge I am gaining to focus on cultivating better relationships.  Sadly, I have come to realize that the first half of my life has been focused on projects more than people, tasks more than time with family and friends, and checking things off of my list instead of looking to see and hear from God.  I have discovered that I desperately need to hit the reset button in several areas of my life!  

What is an area of your life that you need to slow down and enjoy the view?  

Where do you need to slow down or even hit the reset button?  I encourage you to pray through all areas of your life to see where God wants you to look up and pay more attention to what He is trying to show you.  I sure am glad I did!  

We still have many One Another verses to cover.  I sincerely hope that you are gaining insight and making progress in your walk with God and others through the studying of these verses.  I encourage you to share in the comments any insight you have gained, questions you may have or whatever is placed on your heart that you are willing to share.  I would love to hear and learn from you as well.   

Up next is Forgive One Another!  That one is a true work in progress for me.  I have been studying, praying and searching my heart for a couple weeks in preparation for that one!