MALAISE OF THE MUNDANE

One of God's greatest gifts to me are those He has placed in my life to cause me to think--ponder--question.  I was recently sent an article on Walker Percy and his Theory of Hurricanes.  It hit me square on the head. 


Walker's theory contends we are happiest in the hurricane moments of our lives.  When thinking this over, I quickly realized I function by far at my best in those times of crisis, projects, or adventure.  I am at my finest hour when the world in crashing down around my head and I am charged with holding the ceiling up.  Be it rallying the troops for meals for a sick friend, painting a house for a friend--even a casual acquaintance who was forced to move, cleaning up the hail damage after the storm that took the roof, or swimming against the current with waves crashing over my head--I always rise to the occasion when faced with the biggest challenges.  


Sadly--I become mired in the quicksand of malaise when it comes to the day to day -the mundane of living.  I loose sight of the importance of the day to day and forget to live in the joy of the moment.  I forget my interaction with the Little's all around me is just as important as tutoring the Homeless--perhaps more important.  My short bursts of adrenaline packed service or adventure become the primary focus in life, while the majority of my living is spent in the mundane day to day tasks of living.  I suffer from a myopia of clear vision when it comes to the great importance of the daily.

I was convicted--found guilty--when I read this comment when discussing this with two dear ones, "This explains a lot--addiction to the constant "breaking news", ambulance chasing, appeal of drama in families, attraction to people who entertain, co dependency and secondary gain of illness, accidents, etc.--being needed.  God uses it for good, but it seems we are easily seduced and then discontented with the ordinary day of loving God and our neighbor."  BAM--GOT ME--RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES!

As we batted the subject back and forth, I remembered saying these very words--more than once---"I live from trip to trip--project to project".  The prosecution rests with that direct quote.  I am GUILTY of allowing the day to day to slip by unnoticed--without fanfare--with no mention.  And sadly--truly grievous--most of my life--the vast majority of my life is in the day to day--NOT in the hurricane experiences.  

The good news---it is never too late to try again.  Seizing the day---is a daily task---even those days which are the most mundane.  No matter what the day looks like---God is in the day---and He is most glorified when we are most aware of His presence even in the mundane--we are blessed.

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

6 comments

  1. AMEN!! I know that many who read your blog will , as I, claim guilt. Thank you for the reminder to "seize the day and glorify God in doing so".

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    1. I have guilt written all over me, but thankful of God's reminder!
      Blessings !

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  2. The thing is, most of us tend to relish the day to day rush of events and being in the centre of the action. I bet you are a great friend to be with and a God send when there is a crisis.

    There is nothing wrong in seizing the day or, in my case, doing it in Latin with Carpe Diem. I remember years ago I used to call the numbers at our church's weekly Bingo games. I used to call the numbers in Latin to ensure only the Catholics won!

    Have you thought of taking up less arduous hobbies like sitting down. I do it all the time. I can sit just about anywhere, in front of the TV, in the garden, on the bus or train, and even at work. Sometimes I sit with my eyes closed. Great hobby.

    God bless.

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    1. Thank you for my daily laugh, Victor. I fear I do WAY too much sitting already! Calling the Bingo numbers in Latin---OH MY!
      Blessings, My Friend!

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  3. oh dear, Victor, giggling.

    I have been finding it very difficult to slow down these couple days, my friend...how this really speaks to me, thank you.

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    1. When you have been in high gear for so long---it takes regrouping and remembering what life was before all the busyness began.
      Blessings, My Friend!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!