The stress and toil of the past few weeks has been steadily building. A friend in the gym asked me who I shared my stress with. I gave a long answer in three-parts. His response was pointed and direct.
“I see. In short, no one. You keep it to yourself.”
As I started to protest, the overwhelming truth of his statement hit. While I like to believe that I try share, in looking at my actions, it is clear I rarely discuss what I hold within my heart. The telltales in my life that say I should be doing something differently include the following.
Relief when pockets of disharmony are resolved. In a recent conversation with a friend, I realized we were moving beyond the tension that had been between us for the past few months. While we had taken the mutual steps to clear the air, there was a lingering question of moving forward. I knew that it was something that we had to do to know; talking was not going to be the answer. When we did, the relief within me was extraordinary! The reminder of how small things grow within one’s heart was a good reminder of how heavy our burdens can become if we fail to deal with them.
Longings for islands of no-tension conversations. An extended lunch with a good friend reminded me of how much I needed more of these events! We laughed, commiserated, and talked of possibilities. Breaking bread, hanging out, and just being with each other was an incredible infusion of hope. In getting far more than I deserved, I was reminded of how often I run near empty.
Awareness of Life’s tough through the simple things. A text from a loved one, a voicemail, and skype conversation lifted me from the muddy floor into a place where anything can happen. In an instant, I experienced the recovery night animals have the morning after; “When the sun comes up, they vanish, lazily stretched out in their dens.” (Psalm 104.22)
Recovery is the foundation for everything that comes next.
