“Words and hearts should be handled with care for words
when spoken and hearts when broken are
the hardest things to repair.“

In the healing process, it is critical to “not rush the process,” especially in light of a serious break. In light of this, I am re-minding myself to “not rush the process.” Yep, that’s one of my 52 changes this year. It seems our entire nation lives in the state of rushing the process, don’t we? But, when it comes to true healing and restoration, experts incite otherwise. As you know, I’ve been on a journey towards finding real freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1) and I’m finding this a little more taxing than I anticipated. Why? Because true freedom in Christ requires due diligence. For example:

1. Letting go of grudges means I have to deal with the unforgiveness in my life. Look it in the face and work through the process. No sweeping it under the rug because eventually I am going to fall flat on my face.
2. Learning to really be still and let God unfold His purposes when I “see” none means I have to stop moving, stop “doing”, and stop filling in the empty space. It means I have to look at the reason(s) I do this. Could it be I need immediate validation? I find my worth in doing? I am only valued when I am performing or producing?
3. Getting into God’s Word requires turning off mindless television, getting up earlier or giving up futile time wasters.
4. Making room for PLAY (more on this later). In the same week, two very close people in my life, said to me, “Janell, you don’t know how to play. For goodness sake, get a fishing pole. PLAY!” Ouch. Even after writing an entire chapter in my first book on the power of creativity and play, I don’t play.

Ugh. So, because I am never one to back down from a challenge, I am putting forth my best effort on “not rushing the process” of God’s movement, or seeming lack thereof, in my life. Oh, I know HE is moving, but when I don’t SEE it, I have to be still and wait. In the meantime, about that play thing, I’m on it. Here’s my baby steps towards playing more. Will you share yours?

Yep, one more of my 52 changes in 52 weeks: JUMPED into the pool with my clothes on. Two nights before Candace left, we were standing around the pool talking. Slowly and quietly, I took off my jewelry and shoes and bam…jumped right in.
Astounded by my sudden impulse to do such a thing, Candace Rose jumped in next.
Oh, it was so much fun. Just can’t tell you how good it felt to do something so stupid and FUN!

And, then, two days ago, after my Interval Training class, my “mental and physical”
trainer, Lynn, or maybe fellow trainer, Maria, says, “Hey, did you see the new weighted hula hoops?”
“Let’s try it,” Maria laughs.
“Oh, no, haven’t tried one of those since childhood,” I cried out!

Then, she puts it in my hand and the rest is history.
Screaming and laughing like that little child of yesteryear, I hula hooped for the next five or so minutes.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve laughed like that.

“You’ve found your fishing pole,” exclaimed Lynn. She was one of those wise women who told me I didn’t know how to have fun. She wanted me to get a fishing pole and practice some down time. “Yep, you’ve found your fishing pole.”

So, today’s challenge is to have more fun. Play a little more. Don’t rush the process of life. In the down times, the quiet times, the healing times…play a little more. It will make the entire journey of life worth living. Go ahead, have some “good times” and maybe, right now, get up and dance around just for the heck of it!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7HmzwI67ec]