What was I thinking?
I listen to a radio program called This American Life. They tell great stories of individuals in all kinds of situations. Like the police officer who while on a break thought he would stretch out in the back of the police car to nap. The door closed he
fell asleep only to wake 15 minutes later with the knowledge he'd just locked himself in the police car. There are no door handles in the back of the police cars. There is a soundproof glass between the back seat and the front. He got out finally by calling 911 and asked for help saying he was ok. However it went out on the radio cop in trouble and everyone around responded. There was no hiding his mistake.
So are there things in your life that you did and later thought, "What was I thinking?"
Surely there are things that in hindsight and experience would say to us that there is THE time where we made a huge mistake. There are people I've know who live what I call Soap Opera lives. This means that they come up to a decision that is very important and make the wrong one every every time.
So then, how do we make decisions that are based on more than a flip of a coin? I think we do by stopping in the process and listening to what God is leading us to do. And the more we do this the more loudly this 'voice' comes to us and leads us.
When John and I are faced by a big decision we will sometimes pray about it, come to a decision and then go to sleep asking for a dream to let us know if we've made the right decision. There are times when it is very clear that we need to reconsider based on dreams.
A lot of times after I made a decision I think...What was I thinking that I didn't take time to pray about this before I said yes or no.
And we don't keep praying until we get the answer we want.
god abide
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2010
fell asleep only to wake 15 minutes later with the knowledge he'd just locked himself in the police car. There are no door handles in the back of the police cars. There is a soundproof glass between the back seat and the front. He got out finally by calling 911 and asked for help saying he was ok. However it went out on the radio cop in trouble and everyone around responded. There was no hiding his mistake.
So are there things in your life that you did and later thought, "What was I thinking?"
Surely there are things that in hindsight and experience would say to us that there is THE time where we made a huge mistake. There are people I've know who live what I call Soap Opera lives. This means that they come up to a decision that is very important and make the wrong one every every time.
So then, how do we make decisions that are based on more than a flip of a coin? I think we do by stopping in the process and listening to what God is leading us to do. And the more we do this the more loudly this 'voice' comes to us and leads us.
When John and I are faced by a big decision we will sometimes pray about it, come to a decision and then go to sleep asking for a dream to let us know if we've made the right decision. There are times when it is very clear that we need to reconsider based on dreams.
A lot of times after I made a decision I think...What was I thinking that I didn't take time to pray about this before I said yes or no.
And we don't keep praying until we get the answer we want.
god abide
Bobbie Giltz McGarey
@2010
posted by Bobbie Giltz McGarey at
8:36 PM
4 Comments:
Discernment isn't mentioned much by the merchants of fear: if we can be kept running around like chickens with our heads cut off, we're easier to manipulate.
I like the buddist saying: don't just do something, sit there. And the saying: sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits. When energy allows, I sit in centering prayer/contemplation/meditation with the CAC 7:40am to 8, then followed by gospel reading and some reflection on the word. Since the CAC is led by Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest, the readings follow the catholic calendar. It's a very ecumenical group, with clergy and lay people of many different faiths.
And you pay attention to your dreams! I was very blessed by my Sunday study teachers, especially one that spilt the 2 hours between scripture study and reflections, and jungian dream analysis. Kept me moderately sane during my teenage years, and convinced me I needed to "judge not, least you be judged, for as we measure, we are measured". Still a long way from a life free from impatient anger about what others need to do, and instead a life focused on how I can be the change I want to see in the world. Have you tried the labyrinth yet?
By
rodema, At
Thu Nov 25, 09:03:00 PM CST
thanks Rodema
By
Bobbie Giltz McGarey, At
Mon Jan 24, 08:34:00 PM CST
thanks Rodema
By
Bobbie Giltz McGarey, At
Mon Jan 24, 08:34:00 PM CST
Hi Bobbie!
I hope you remember me, you married Steve and I back in August 1999 in Logan, UT. This post means a lot to me - wish I'd read it earlier, but maybe not.
It's been a whirlwind life for us! 2 days after you married us, Steve and I moved to Ann Arbor, MI for grad school then left in 2005 for a post-doc in San Antonio. That nearly wiped us out, so when offered another post-doc, Steve turned them down and we went back to Logan - yes, Logan! Steve taught high school and I worked at our daughter's school - life was absolutely wonderful!! We were in no way looking to leave Logan, ever, but a great opportunity came for Steve and we did pray - and I asked for signs - and now we're back in Michigan - oy!
It's good, really, but oh how I miss Logan so much. There've been some dark days and the, "What was I thinking!" has been a constant in my thoughts, but I keep going. I keep asking God, "Why did you let me make that decision? Where was the divine intervention?" and I feel a stillness and a nod from God, telling me it is right.
I look forward to reading more of your blog now that I've found it! I hope you and John are well.
Heather
By
Unknown, At
Thu Mar 03, 08:02:00 PM CST
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